FSU student-athletes are excelling in the classroom

Yahoo Sports2h ago14 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

Florida State University student-athletes are achieving academic excellence, setting records each semester. Dr. Mike Brady highlights their impressive performance both on the field and in the classroom.

Key points

FSU student-athletes excel academically
Records are being set each semester
Dr. Mike Brady is the faculty athletics representative
Academic performance is improving over the years

Mentioned in this story

Florida State UniversityDr. Mike Brady

FSU student-athletes are excelling in the classroom

Florida State’s student-athletes aren’t just competing at a high level on the field. They’re excelling academically, too.

In fact, it's time to update the department's record book.

“We’ve set records almost every semester,” Dr. Mike Brady, a FSU baseball player (1987-90) who has served as the university's faculty athletics representative since 2021 and is a longtime professor of Marketing in the College of Business, told the Tallahassee Democrat.

“Over the last two years, every single semester has produced a new GPA record. At the end of the fall semester, the cumulative GPA across the entire athletics program was 3.36.”

It’s a figure that would have seemed almost unimaginable not long ago — and even Brady admits it’s a dramatic shift from his own days as a Seminoles left-handed pitcher who appeared in 56 games and went 11-3 with seven saves and a 2.85 ERA.

So what changed?

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FSU academic achievements in athletics tied to expectations

According to Brady, it starts with expectations.

“There are a few big reasons,” he said. “First, the coaching staffs take academics very seriously. That hasn’t always been true everywhere — or even throughout our own history — but it absolutely is now. Coaches hold student-athletes accountable in the classroom.”

Just as important, Brady said, is the university’s growing financial investment in academic infrastructure — an effort that has quietly transformed how athletes are supported from the moment they arrive on campus.

“The other major factor is resources,” Brady said. “The university and the athletics department have invested heavily in academic support. We now have two full floors in the Moore Athletics Center dedicated to it. Every team has at least two academic staff members assigned to it. Football, obviously, has even more support due to the size of the roster.”

Q&A

What records are Florida State student-athletes setting academically?

Florida State student-athletes are setting academic records almost every semester, showcasing their excellence in the classroom.

Who is Dr. Mike Brady and what is his role at FSU?

Dr. Mike Brady is a former FSU baseball player and the university's faculty athletics representative since 2021, also serving as a professor of Marketing.

How are FSU student-athletes performing in academics compared to previous years?

FSU student-athletes are excelling academically, with improvements noted each semester, indicating a trend of increasing academic success.

What is the significance of academic success for student-athletes at FSU?

Academic success for student-athletes at FSU is significant as it reflects their ability to balance sports and education, enhancing their overall college experience.