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Finding a balance between academic accomplishments and athletic success
is the focus for Coach Jay Hardwick’s golf program at Virginia Tech, and
Student Athlete Academic Support Services (SAASS) takes a very personal
role in the supervision and support of all student-athletes. The advising office
continuously engages with other campus agencies to help student-athletes in
their continuing pursuit of academic achievement.
SAASS provides programming for student-athletes from their freshman
year through graduation. This includes a comprehensive orientation to Tech,
study hall, mentoring, tutoring, academic monitoring, academic recognition and
eligibility education.
Virginia Tech’s graduation success rate for student-athletes has remained
quite high in recent years and was 92 percent in 2016. Additionally, men’s golf
is one of five Tech programs with a four-year weighted average of 100 percent
graduation.
In addition to posting
impressive graduation
figures, Virginia Tech’s
student-athletes continue
to excel in the classroom.
For the 2016 calendar year,
they earned a combined
615 3.0 GPA’s, with 336 of
those being named to the
Dean’s list for a GPA over
3.4. These student-athletes
and students from support
areas were recognized
at the Athletic Director’s
Honors Breakfast last
spring.
The SAASS office has
been especially beneficial
to the golf team, which
consistently posts grade
point averages among
the best of any athletic team at Tech. The past five seasons the team has been
recognized by the NCAA for a perfect Academic Progress Rate, and has been
named an All-Academic Team by Farmer’s Insurance and the GCAA. During
Hardwick’s years, the graduation rate for golfers who have completed their
eligibility at Tech is 99 percent.
The golf team has received many accolades for its work in the classroom
in recent years. In 2009, Drew Weaver was selected as the Outstanding Male
Student-Athlete at Virginia Tech by the ACC, the second consecutive year
this honor went to a member of the golf team, following Jurrian van der Vaart’s
recognition in 2008. In 2013, Bryce Chalkley was named an All-American
Scholar by the GCAA, and received this honor again in 2014. In 2016, Maclain
Huge also earned All-American Scholar honors, becoming only the fourth
Hokies player to earn this distinction twice. Last season Drew Johnson, Joey
Lane, and Ryan Mondy were also named All-American Scholars. Lane was
also named to the All-ACC Academic Men’s Golf Team, and Will Duma, Ian
Hildebrand, Huge, Johnson, Mondy, and Dan Woodbury joined Lane in being
named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll in 2016 as well.
SAASS offices are located in the West Side of Lane Stadium where student-
athletes have access to state-of-the-art technology, quiet study facilities,
individualized tutorial rooms, and direct access to the SAASS staff.
The 18,000-square-foot facility provides the student-athlete with a variety of
study environments conducive to their success. Athletes can use these facilities
between classes, after practice or in the evenings, with flexible hours tailored to
make the most of a student athlete’s limited time.
The SAASS office is comprised of a team of ten professionals directed by
Matt Mayotte. Mayotte is in his third year at Virginia Tech, however he previously
served as director of Student-Athlete Services at Troy University in Alabama for
more than nine years. Mayotte works directly with the golf team.
The golf team is leading the way with excellence. With the guidance and
support of the SAASS, it is not difficult to see why.
ACADEMIC
SUPPORT
Seniors Joey Lane and
Drew Johnson were named
All-American Scholars
last season.