MSU Athletics Department Recognized by NCAS
1/29/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
Jan. 29, 2008
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State University Athletics Department was recognized by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) on its Outreach and Degree Completion Honor Roll for its successes during the 2006-07 academic year. MSU was one of 19 athletic departments to be named on both lists.
"As a Department, we are committed to academic excellence as well as the personal development of our student-athletes," said MSU Associate Athletics Director and Director of Student-Athlete Support Services Jim Pignataro. "This recognition showcases both their commitment to service, and demonstrates what a tremendous asset they are to both the MSU and Lansing communities. Annually, over 300 student-athlete volunteer their time in our schools, community centers and local philanthropic causes. We couldn't be more proud of what they accomplish."
Each summer, statistics are requested from NCAS members outlining their athletic department's time and impact in the community as well as the number of student-athletes they provide tuition assistance to after their athletic eligibility has expired in order to assist their degree completion and graduation. Based on the numbers collected, honor rolls are compiled recognizing the top 15-20 percent of the NCAS membership.
The Spartans were in a tie for 10th on the Outreach Honor Roll with 20,000 youths, with whom they have had an impact on over the last academic year.
During the 2006-07 academic year, the Michigan State student-athletes, through the work of S.A.S.S., took part in a variety of activities involving the Lansing communities, including the Spartan Buddy program, the Pen Pal program, the Team for Toys drive and numerous cancer awareness fund raisers. The Spartan Buddy program, in its fourth year, links MSU student-athletes with pediatric patients at Sparrow Hospital, while the Pen Pal program matches 71 Spartan student-athletes with children of the Lansing and East Lansing school districts. The Team for Toys initiative wrapped up its fifth holiday season this past December, as MSU administrators, coaches and student-athletes came together raise money, buy, then wrap gifts, and deliver them to 25 local families. In all, these outreach programs only highlight the tremendous impact that the Michigan State Athletics Department and its student-athletes have on the local community.
Michigan State had 29 student-athletes who returned to school and continued on assistance after the completion of their eligibility or upon leaving school early, which placed them 13th on the Degree Completion Honor Roll.
Each school was acknowledged on Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, at the Founders Luncheon of the NCAS Annual Conference at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla. The top school on each honor roll will receive a plaque, while each school will receive a certificate of recognition.
The National Consortium for Academics and Sports evolved in response to the need to "keep the student in the student-athlete." The NCAS was established by Dr. Richard E. Lapchick and since its inception in 1985, NCAS member institutions have proven to be effective advocates for balancing academics and athletics. By joining the NCAS, a college or university agrees to bring back, tuition free, their own former student-athletes who competed in revenue and non-revenue producing sports and were unable to complete their degree requirements. In exchange, these former student-athletes agree to participate in school outreach and community service programs addressing social issues of America's youth.
For more information about the NCAS or the Annual Conference, please visit www.ncasports.org or contact Jessica Bartter at jbartter@bus.ucf.edu or 407-823-4884.