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| Succeeding In The Game Of Life
National championships and post-season appearances sometimes cloud public perception of the rigorous lives of LSU’s student-athletes. Academics and college athletics are not typically viewed as a fair partnership; however, a group of LSU student-athletes is set to turn that tide.
Collis Temple, III, has made history in his time with LSU basketball, just as his father did years ago as the first black student on the LSU basketball team. Temple is the embodiment of the student-athlete, as he is believed to be the first Ph.D. student to play NCAA Division I basketball. After receiving his undergraduate degree in business, Temple earned a master of science in kinesiology with a specialization in sports management and is currently working on a doctorate in educational leadership, research, and counseling with a specialization in higher education. Academic success at LSU has not been limited to the basketball court. Tiger Stadium’s own first team All-American standout Bradie James was named a National Scholar-Athlete by the National Football Foundation. Along with this recognition for his outstanding academic record, James received an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. LSU's former linebacker was drafted to the Dallas Cowboys in April. James graduated in May 2003 with a degree in criminology.
Recently, James’ teammate Rodney Reed was named an Academic All-American for his outstanding grade-point average (gpa) in accounting. Reed was the first Tiger to be named to the squad since 1997. He has also been selected as this year's outstanding senior in the E. J. Ourso College of Business Administration. Reed received his bachelor's degree in May and will complete his last year of eligibility on the football field while he pursues a Master of Business Administration in accounting. LSU’s women athletes are sometimes overlooked with the popularity of LSU football, but they certainly leave their marks in the classrooms as well. The volleyball and women’s golf teams lead all LSU athletic teams with an average overall gpa of 3.42. The nationally competitive gymnastics team follows close behind with a 3.39 average.
The University strengthened its commitment to academics with the recent opening of the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the success of athletes in the classroom. “With the opening the new Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes, LSU has sent out the message loud and clear that academic excellence is our number one priority,” said LSU Athletic Director Skip Bertman. “We want everyone to realize that these young men and women are students first and athletes second, and that in the game of life, academic success typically has far more impact on one’s ability to earn a livelihood and to contribute to society.” Just as weeks of practice prepare the Tigers for the electricity of Tiger Stadium, the University’s dedication to academics provides these student-athletes with the preparation they need to tackle whatever comes their way. Written by Jacob Landry | University
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