July 9, 2014
MADISON, Wis. - The transition to college life can be an overwhelming process for any freshman. That adjustment is often amplified for student-athletes, who can sometimes be bombarded with facing the adjustment involved with academics, athletics and social life.
Aiming to relieve this transition, the Office of Academic Services (OAS), Office of Student-Athlete Development (OSAD), Compliance and Sports Medicine have collaborated for the first time and developed a formal Summer Bridge program for incoming student-athletes at the University of Wisconsin.
"Institutions around the country have summer bridge programs and we decided it was time for Wisconsin to create its own," Kelly Higgins of the Office of Academic Services said. "The goal of the program is to provide information and resources to student-athletes as they make the transition academically, athletically and socially to UW. We are aiming to fill in the information that they may not be learning in the classroom or in their sport."
Higgins is a member of the core planning committee for UW's Summer Bridge program, which includes OAS representatives LeAnn Bird, Tracy Maloney and Mary Weaver-Klees, along with Bridget Woodruff from OSAD, Denny Helwig of Sports Medicine and Dan Rohrer of Compliance.
The committee and program strive to assist with each student's transition from high school to college, develop them personally, engage them with the campus and also teach student-athletes the skills that will help them be successful in life after sports.
"The Summer Bridge program gives me a head start on college and helps me to keep up with my studies," freshman Kelli Bates of the volleyball team said. "It's an easy way to stay ahead of everything and there's always tutors around to help you when needed. Also, all of the other freshmen in your classes are there and they're ready to help as well. It's a great way to get to know my fellow student-athletes."
Beginning in June and hosted by representatives from all involved departments, a number of informational sessions were scheduled with topics such as academics, compliance, financial aid, sports medicine, student orientation, technology at UW, campus programs and the Badgers Give Back program.
A pair of social activities were also planned, including a campus scavenger hunt that took place June 26 and gathered 45 first-year UW student-athletes for team-building exercises and campus exploration.
The Badgers Connection Barbeque, organized by the Office of Student-Athlete Development, is set for July 15. The event provides an opportunity for student-athletes to network and aims to help them build relationships with a diverse group of individuals, including UW faculty and staff, coaches and Madison community members.
Teams with student-athletes participating in the Summer Bridge program are football, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's hockey, women's soccer, wrestling and volleyball.
