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About Us - SASS

MISSION
The University of Cincinnati Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) staff provides student-athletes the support necessary to reach their full potential academically, personally, athletically, and professionally during their college career.  
SASS works cooperatively with university staff and services to aid student-athletes as they:

  • transition into life at UC,
  • progress through their coursework, 
  • engage in our Bearcats Go Pro curriculum offered through the Academy, 
  • receive their diploma, and
  • create a professional pathway to graduate school, the work force, or their sport.
CORE FUNCTIONS
Academic Services is the core area for all student-athletes who come to the University of Cincinnati. The primary focus is on creating a graduation plan with each student and providing the academic support necessary to achieve it. Academic counselors are dedicated to the support of our student-athletes, offering guidance and leading communication between their assigned teams and campus advisors, faculty, and staff. The personalized support student-athletes receive keeps them engaged in the process, from enrollment through graduation, helping them grow into independent learners.
Learning Services supports Academic Services by providing study skill and learning strategy development throughout the school year. Our Learning Specialists assist students with diagnosed learning disabilities and provide assessments to identify any undiagnosed disabilities. Additionally, all student-athletes have access to academic coaching and tutoring to help them succeed in their coursework. Tutors focus on specific course content, and Academic Coaches help students with organization and planning, addressing the time management challenges that come with being a college student-athlete.
The Academy is our student-athlete development hub, dedicated to preparing Bearcats for life beyond sports and academics. Guided by the mantra "Bearcats Go Pro," the Academy ensures that all UC student-athletes are ready to Go Pro in one of three ways: in their sport, in their chosen career, or in further studies through graduate school. With a range of workshops, special events, and virtual learning tools, the Academy equips student-athletes with essential skills to thrive after college.


POINTS of DIFFERENTIATION
  1. GRADUATION
    1. 99% in the last 10 years (881 of 893)
    2. 95% student-athlete graduation rate since 2001
    3. All Bearcats in the NFL have a degree (22 at last count for rosters)
    4. UC is tied for 5th nationally with GSR rate of 97% and #1 in the Big 12
    5. Football has graduated every senior for the last 7 senior classes
    6. Men’s Basketball has graduated every senior for the last 10 senior classes
    7. Women's Basketball has graduated every senior for the last 11 senior classes
  2. GPA
    1. 13 consecutive semesters with an Athletic Department GPA of 3.3 or higher (32 semesters in a row above 3.0)
    2. Every team achieved a 3.0 or higher in seven of the last eight semesters
    3. Over 75% of student-athletes have earned a 3.0 or higher for the last nine semesters
    4. Football has earned above a 3.0 GPA for the last nine semesters
    5. Men’s Basketball has earned a 3.0 or higher for the last eight semesters 
  3. APR
    1. 10 teams with a perfect APR score for 2022-2023
    2. Six straight years with at least 10 teams earning a perfect APR score
    3. 1st in the Big 12 in the number of teams leading their sports in the multi-year APR metric 
  4. Bearcats GO PRO
    1. Bearcats STRONG—35% earned recognition for 2023-24 by achieving a 3.0 for both semesters, completed 12 or more Academy commitments (Minimum standard is 8), and met all requirements for their sport’s Strength and Conditioning program.
    2. Academy offered 31 workshops and 81 total events for 2023-24
    3. 2023 Calendar Year—3 graduation ceremonies held—Data for our graduates leaving UC:
                                                                                         i. 41 going PRO in the workforce
                                                                                        ii. 17 going PRO in graduate school
                                                                                        iii. 14 going PRO in their sport
                                                                                        iv. 41 returned to UC to continue their eligibility in their sport

Academy profile:
  • Four main pillars guide the operation of our student-athlete development ecosystem: 
    • Career exploration
    • Leadership
    • Personal development
    • Community impact
  • 3 mediums of programming delivery: workshops, events, and e-learning
  • Academy programming is… 
    • INNOVATIVE in its approach to making these resources available to student-athletes; we meet them where they are with the tools they need to succeed.
    • INTENTIONAL in what we put in front of our student-athletes. Surveys and assessments throughout the year help us keep a pulse on what really matters to our student-athletes as they develop into well-rounded people.
    • IMPACTFUL in how we engage our student-athlete population, the UC campus, and the greater Cincinnati community. We’re not in the business of compelling community service or only having a presence during sporting events; UC student-athletes actively immerse themselves in the community and build genuine connections during their time here.
  • The Academy collaborates with…
    • NIL Impact Dept. to ensure alignment around how student-athletes are developing their brands personally AND professionally.
    • Sport Psych Dept. to ensure mental and emotional wellness is a top priority.
    • Sport Performance & Nutrition Dept. to ensure physical well-being.
    • Warren Bennis Leadership Institute to ensure that our student-athletes are receiving the most relevant and top-tier skill-building education available.
 
By the numbers (2023-24):
  • 31 workshops presented by The Academy
  • 50 unique community impact events
  • 4697 total community engagement hours completed
  • 1611 e-learning module clusters completed via GamePlan 
  • 60+ employer-partners = 60+ companies, businesses, and organizations that have committed to providing resources and opportunities to our student-athletes, both during and after college.
  • 86% completion rate for Academy commitments = 86% of our student-athletes are prepared for life outside of their sport
 
National recognition:
  • INFLCR NIL Summit – BEST INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM AWARD
  • Black Student-Athlete Summit – UC BSAA, STUDENT-GROUP OF THE YEAR AWARD
  • GamePlan – Ranked #1 Division 1 School