Athletes at UD take success seriously both on the field and in the classroom.

UD is tied for the sixth best graduation rate among the top 50 Division I athletics programs in the recently released 2009-2010 NACDA Learfield Sports Directors Cup standings. It also ranks 47th in the current Learfield Sports Directors Cup standings for collegiate athletics programs ahead of Michigan, Cincinnati, Kentucky and Tennessee. UD's 97 percent graduation success rate leads among Atlantic 10 Conference schools.

"University of Dayton athletics is about opportunity," said Tim Wabler, vice president and director of athletics. "Our student athletes have the opportunity to compete for championships while getting a great education."

This kind of recognition comes from a university-wide commitment to academics.

"We feel the biggest adjustment student athletes have is transitioning from high school to college," Wabler said. "Our coaches and academic support staff emphasize getting our freshmen off to a solid start with time management instruction and mandatory study hours."

While the coaches are the ones who embrace the concept of success both in and out of the classroom, ultimately student-athletes are in charge.

"Across the board, our student athletes are highly motivated individuals," Wabler said. "They want to be the best they can athletically and academically."

UD soccer player Jerica DeWolfe said student athletes must constantly micromanage their schedules.

"You have to constantly be aware of upcoming practice, weight lifting, games and travel," she said. "Most importantly, you have to be mindful that academics come first. For most of us, soccer will end one day and success is determined by attributes outside of how well one kicks or dribbles the ball."

UD student athletes are successful on and off the playing field for a number of reasons, according to academic coordinator Beth Flach.

"The coaches recruit quality student athletes who buy into the culture and history of academic and athletic success," she said. "The faculty members allow student athletes opportunities to travel for competition, yet remain current on important class material. The athletic administrators give student athletes the resources they need to be champions on and off the court."

But sometimes even with professors helping, keeping up with grades and sports can be difficult.

"It is challenging being a student athlete," DeWolfe said. "Like most athletes, I take pride in what I do and therefore there is little option but to perform the best I am able in school and on the field."

From day one, UD student athletes understand that being a student is the most important part of their college experience, Flach said.

In Fall 2009, 65 percent of student athletes earned a 3.0 or higher semester grade point average while 11 student athletes earned a perfect 4.0 GPA. Women's golf had the highest team semester GPA with a 3.61 after Fall 2009, followed by Women's Cross Country with a 3.56 team semester GPA.

UD has had 29 Academic All Americans in the last seven years. Also, at least one Flyer student athlete has been named an Academic All-American for 24 straight years.