Continuing education for former tOSU athletes

[LightningRod]

Once that door of eligibility closes, the University remains concerned about the welfare of its S/As. Job well done.

Ohio State Honored by National Consortium for Academics and Sports

<A HREF="http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com//share/ViewPhoto.dbml?&PALBID=&ATCLID=1374859&SPID=10402&DB_OEM_ID=17300&ATCLPID=&SPSID=87726&CARTKEY=&IN_SUBSCRIBER_CONTENT=&DB_MENU_ID=&LOAD_IMAGE_ID=906502&LOAD_IMAGE_SIZE=400"> Courtesy: OhioStateBuckeyes.com
http://www.OhioStateBuckeyes.com
Former men's hockey player Mike McCormick earned his degree in December. He plays pro hockey in Germany.
&lt;SCRIPT **********"**********" SRC="http://xos.adbureau.net/jnserver/acc_random=77638795/LOCATION=1/SITE=17300/AREA=SPORTS.NONE/AAMSZ=300x250/pageid=50762671"&gt;&lt;/SCRIPT&gt;

Former Buckeye student-athletes rank second in nation in NCAS Degree Completion Program
COLUMBUS, Ohio ? Ohio State will be recognized Monday by the National Consortium of Academics and Sports (NCAS) for ranking second nationally in the 2006-07 academic year in former student-athletes returning and completing their undergraduate degrees.
Of 224 member schools that participate in the NCAS Degree Completion Program (DCP), Ohio State is one of 59 named to the 2008 DCP Honor Roll for its dedication to former student-athletes completing their undergraduate degrees and serving the campus and Columbus communities.
Ohio State formally will be recognized Monday in Orlando, Fla., at the 2008 NCAS Conference.
Ohio State is one of six Big Ten universities to offer DCP. The program offers former student-athletes the opportunity to return, with tuition assistance, to finish their higher education after exhausting their athletic eligibility. Each qualified returning OSU student-athlete receives tuition reimbursement for their involvement with university and community service programs.
Ohio State, which has participated in the program since 1994, boasts more than 100 former Buckeyes who have come back to complete their undergrad coursework and earn a degree, including former men's basketball standout Clark Kellogg (1980-82), the university's first student-athlete to join the program.
Recent former Ohio State student-athletes to fulfill the NCAS Degree Completion program include Butler By?not?e (1990-93) and Mike Nugent (2001-04) of past Ohio State football teams. Nate Guenin (2003-06), Mike McCormick (1999-02) and Scott May (2001-04) from men?s hockey also have completed the NCAS program through Ohio State. Jennifer Selfinger, of women?s golf, earned her degree in 2006.
By?not?e currently is a color analyst for Big Ten Network college football broadcasts. After completing his career as a running back and Big Ten track relay champion at Ohio State, By?not?e played for the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. Nugent, an All-American at Ohio State, currently is the place kicker for the NFL?s New York Jets. He received his business degree last June.
Guenin, McCormick and May all are playing professional hockey. Geunin spent time with the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League this season and May is with Binghamton of the American Hockey League. McCormick received his sociology degree in December. He currently plays for a German professional team.
?Coming back to Ohio State was important to me because I wanted to finish up,? McCormick said. ?When I was offered a chance to play in the German League a few years ago, I only had one quarter of classes to finish. I contacted Ohio State about the degree completion program it offers its former student-athletes.?
At Ohio State, DCP participants act as mentors to Columbus youth. They visit local schools to discuss the importance of staying in school and continuing their education. They also function as proctors at OSU student-athlete study tables and mentors for freshmen student-athletes.
?As part of the program, you are required to log 100 hours of work,? McCormick said. ?I completed my hours tutoring at student-athlete study tables. It really took me back because I was able to meet some of the current Buckeye hockey players like freshmen Peter Boyd and Ryan Markell.?
As former Buckeyes continue to graduate, more look to the program for aid in achieving their degrees.
?We believe there is a lot of value to having the former student-athletes on our campus,? Miechelle Willis, senior associate athletics director of student services and sports administration, said. ?Not only do we get the chance to help them finish what they started, but we believe our current student-athletes benefit as well. Many times the returning athletes have opportunities to interact with our current student-athletes to share their experiences and to share why they feel it was important for them to come back. All are great lessons for our students.?
George Reese (1999-2000), formerly of the men's basketball team, and Jeremy Wurtzman (2002-04) of men's tennis also have opted into the DCP. Reese plays professionally in Poland. Wurtzman is an assistant coach at Denver University. Former Buckeye football players Marcus Green (2002-05), Mike Kudla (2002-05) and Michael Wiley (1996-99) also are currently enrolled in DCP at Ohio State. In addition, Christian Snavely, who played baseball at Ohio State from 2001-03, is currently participating in DCP.
To be considered for this program at Ohio State, former student-athletes must have a 2.00 or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA) and have 45 or fewer degree hours remaining to qualify for the program. Once accepted, they must achieve a quarter GPA of 2.00, maintain a 2.00 cumulative GPA and show good work performance to receive tuition assistance. As part of the program, a counselor from Ohio State's Student-Athlete Support Services Office (SASSO) creates an academic plan and offers free tutoring for the returning student to help them stay on schedule.

 

[Buckskin86]

Athletes' perks continue upon return to OSU
By James Oldham
[email protected]
Updated: Monday, February 28, 2011 03:02

If former student-athletes have exhausted their eligibility and have yet to graduate from Ohio State, the Student-Athlete Support Services Office might be willing to pick up the tab.

In 1994, SASSO implemented the Outreach Education Program, which is now known as the National Consortium for Academic and Sports (NCAS) Degree Completion Program.

The DCP provides former student-athletes with academic and tuition support, helping them to complete their studies and obtain a degree.

"From (athletic director) Gene Smith on down to the coaches and us, it's a commitment that we make to the students during recruiting, that we want them to graduate," said John Macko, an OSU alumnus and athletic academic counselor in SASSO. "We always try to encourage them to come back and finish school."

There are few things in life that come with no strings attached, and the DCP is no exception. Admission into the program is judged on a case-by-case basis, and the student-athletes have to meet certain requirements before becoming eligible to participate.

If an athlete doesn't meet the requirements, however, he or she isn't immediately disqualified from using the DCP.

"When we've had students come that were outside of those particular parameters, we don't necessarily turn them away," said David Graham, assistant provost director of SASSO. "We try to figure out a plan, and we have them put together a plan so that they can fit into that window."

Graham said 10-15 athletes typically participate in the program each quarter.

"It provides them with an opportunity to tap into their real-life experiences, and use that experience to work with some of our active student-athletes," Graham said.

Cont..

http://www.thelantern.com/campus/athletes-perks-continue-upon-return-to-osu-1.2020204

 

[Bucknut24]

while on the buckeye cruise for cancer, simon fraser said he was goin to med school at osu, good for him

 

[Buckskin86]

?Our degree completion program is available for any of our student athletes who have been here on an athletic scholarship,? explained Senior Athletic Academic Counselor John Macko. ?The program funds their tuition for their last 45 credits as long as the student has maintained a 2.0 GPA and commits to community service work in order to re-pay the university for the tuition.?

Macko has been at Ohio State for over 25 years. He specifically works with the football team as an academic advisor and is in charge of the Buckeyes degree completion program.

?They encourage you to finish your degree and if you leave early, they really help you find a way to reach that goal,? Washington said. ?That?s one of the things that really made me feel comfortable when I decided to come out early - the fact that I knew they would work with me and help me to pursue my degree. It?s something that Coach Tressel stressed from the first day I met him.?

At Ohio State, the offer to finish never expires as long as basic entry and exit requirements are met.

Two-time Pro Bowler LeCharles Bentley finished his degree through the program last summer and Alex Boone of the 49ers is currently enrolled as well.

?Our oldest guy was Dick Schafrath that joined us probably about 10 years ago when he was 70 years old,? remembered Macko. ?He played at Ohio State in the 1950s and for the Cleveland Browns. He was also a state representative for the state of Ohio, but came back because he promised his mom that he?d graduate and finished it off.?

http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/article-2/Unfinished-Business/eaf4eb92-b3c4-45f2-a7be-fddf74917eac