Volleyball team an academic success

By Deborah Lilly

Anderson University’s volleyball players proved they’re just as good in the classroom as they are on the court. For the fourth consecutive year, they have been named Team Academic All-Americans.

The award is presented each year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and Molton. To qualify, a team must have an average GPA (grade point average) of 3.3 or higher. Last year’s team ended the 2000-2001 school year with an average GPA of 3.37 out of 4.0.

“Our academic success is associated with the type of student athlete we identify in the recruiting process,” explains Ed Allen, the team’s head coach. He looks for students not only with strong board scores but also good grades. “These kids tend to be disciplined, hardworking kids who will fit in very well with our campus and volleyball program.”

Because they are disciplined, Allen finds they are a joy to coach. “They pick things up very quickly and are extremely coachable because they want to learn and excel,” he says. Allen emphasizes to his players that academics should be their first priority as AU students. Volleyball comes second. Ironically, his players’ grades are better during volleyball season, when busy practice and game schedules force them to be organized and focused.

Team captain Jeremi Mitchel, a junior elementary education major, describes a typical season for the team. Every weekend but one they travel and compete. They have one game during the week. On days they are not competing, they spend three hours a day in practice. Mitchel’s weekday schedule begins with classes throughout the morning. In the afternoon, she studies and then heads off to practice. After practice, it’s back to the books. She also fits an on-campus job into her schedule. “But any free time I have, I spend on academics,” she says.

Mitchel is proud of the team’s continuing status of Academic All-Americans. “It proves that we are more than just athletes,” she says.