USD Softball 1998

USDAthletic SupportPrograms

11

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

"Student-athletes face unique challenges and time demands. Our academic support center has been designed to be proactive in helping them achieve their goals and main– tain a high standard of academic achievement. Whether it be advis– ing, tutoring, orjust a quiet place to study, I encourage them to take ad– vantage ofall the resources that are available. I promote an interactive approach to learning and the estab– lishment ofa strong foundation early in their academic career. I believe that developingpositiveattitudes,hab– its, and behaviors duringcollegewill contribute to lifelong success both on and offthe field." Sara Hickmann

Sara Hickmann is in her first year as Coordinator of Athletic Academic Sup– port at the University of San Diego. The USO Athletic Academic Support Program is designed to assist and moti– vate student-athletes in their journey and progress towards their academic goals, and ultimately graduation. The primary objective is to improve the student-ath– letes' study skills, support them in their academic work, and encourage scholas– tic achievement. It is essential that stu– dent-athletes receive the necessary aca– demic assistance to continue normal progress toward a degree while partici– pating in athletics.

USO student-athletes receive assistance through advising, progress re– ports, academic tutors, campus learning centers, such as the Logic, Math, and Writing Centers, and the Accelerated Study Program. The Accelerated Study Program provides a monitored, quiet area open only to the student– athletes to ensure quality study time. These services are available to all USO student-athletes. STRENGTH& CONDITIONING The USO strength and conditioning program is under the direc tion of Steve Brown who is in hi s third year. It has been des igned to develop functional strength, speed, power and endurance. The development of these physical attributes is use less to the athletes unl ess it can be carried onto the playing field. Therefore, adheri ng to a properly designed program of strength training, conditioning and nutrition can enable our men and women to become the best possible athletes they can be, while simultaneously reducing the incidence of injury.

"I look forward to training all USD student-athletes and hope to establish a new sense of pride and commitment to the strengthand con– ditioning program. The area of strength and conditioning has be– come increasingly more scientific in recent years. I plan to utilize the latest research in this field to fully cultivate theathletic potential ofour athletes." Steve Brown

USO student-athletes receive intensive instruction on proper weight training technique; speed, power and agi lity develop– ment; and sport-specific conditioning. Their strength and conditioning programs are specific to the nature of their sport or position. Each athlete is individually monitored through– out their program to ensure the greatest chance of athletic progress.

Both coaches and student-athletes had very positive re– views from the first two seasons.

Steve was recently named as the 1998 National Strength and Conditioning Association Professional of the Year for the West Coast Conference.

1998 University of San Diego Toreros Women's Softball Media Guide