From early morning practices to late-night games, sports take enormous amounts of time from already busy college students. Despite these exacting mental and physical demands, Hesston College athletes are up to the challenge, as they can boast an impressive average GPA of 3.03 for the fall 2015 semester.

“It makes me excited and proud that our kids are achieving,” Athletic Director Rob Ramseyer comments. “Our coaches do a good job of recruiting capable student-athletes and our support staff does a wonderful job once they get here.”

This semester 23 student-athletes made the Dean’s List, earning above a 3.9 GPA, and an additional 32 made the Honor Roll, earning a GPA between a 3.5 and 3.9.

The success continues outside of the classroom. Deb Roth, Dean of Student Success, weighed in by praising student-athletes for not isolating themselves into one specific identity.

“Student-athletes play numerous roles on campus: resident assistants, ministry assistants, student ambassadors, FYE (First-Year Experience) scholars, peer educators, writing fellows, and more.” Roth said. “Real world training is provided by athletics and athletes are masters at multi-tasking and time management, skills that every employer is looking for.”

Coaches also play a pivotal role in the development of students.

“I couldn’t ask for a more supportive group of coaches than we have right now at Hesston College,” Roth Said. “Our coaching staff keeps their players accountable for their course work and collaborates closely with academic departments.”

With motivated students and excellent coaches, Hesston is well equipped to continue preparing student-athletes for success well beyond the athletic arena.

Written by Caleb Schrock-Hurst, Communications Intern