This article was originally published in the Academia print issue of The Daily Utah Chronicle, originally in stands in October of 2024. It has not been updated and some information may be out of date.
The University of Utah has over 500 athletes on campus. Balancing school and athletics can be a daunting task, with classes to keep up with as well as multiple practices a week.
At the U, the school recognizes these challenges for these student-athletes and provides them with many programs that help them to stay more organized. This includes academic advising, having access to Utah’s best tutors for one-on-one help with their classes and having dedicated study spaces. With these resources, Utah provides great access and opportunities for athletes to do great.
After the fall 2023 semester, the average GPA for athletes at the U was 3.343, which is fifth all-time in the department and marks 35 consecutive semesters of being above 3.0. According to the NCAA, 94% of Utah’s athletes graduated within six years of enrolling. Women’s cross country earned the best overall GPA average, 3.861. For the men, it was the ski team, with 3.658.
Crimson Club
Utah’s Crimson Club is responsible for some student-athlete perks being funded. The funding is split into two parts: the Crimson Club Excellence Fund and specific Team Excellence Funds.
The Excellence Fund covers academic help, sports medicine, psychological resources, conditioning resources, nutrition help and overall sports science. Team Excellence Funds cover facility improvements, equipment, team travel and recruitment.
The club hosts extra services as well, such as the scholarship circle and assistance with NIL deals and sponsors.
With these, the athletes have plenty of resources to rely on thanks to donors and alumni of Utah.
Elevate U
Outside their sport, athletes can make a name for themselves and receive their education. With Elevate U, athletes are able to get the help they need to do what they want for their careers. This includes learning how business works, connecting with alumni and understanding how to make money.
Nested in Elevate U is Ute Academy, which is a student-athlete focused branch for helping student-athletes with being able to transition from the classroom to the workforce. The Ute Academy prepares students for many endeavors, including professional and personal development, wellness, leadership and much more. The U also has three NIL collectives to allow for maximum potential, including Crimson Collective, Who Rocks the House and Running Hoops.
Community Engagement
The U’s Bennion Center awards student-athletes who take part in community engagement outside the classroom with the Utah Athletes in Service Award. Although community engagement is not something that links all the way up to education, the U awards good philanthropic efforts of athletes, which can transform their skills outside the playing ground. This award has been given out since 2015, and activities have ranged from work at the hospital to helping those in need.
The Burbidge Center
The Burbidge Center, also referred to as the Burb, is an academic center where student-athletes can get help with their classes and individual tutoring. The center has a dedicated staff to ensure that athletes can get bookings and guaranteed help every week, as well as resources for other needs.
The Burb provides private rooms as well for their sessions so that everyone can be locked in on their work. The team also provides updates for each coach to track academic progress and communicate with the athletes. Lastly, the place encourages everyone to be cooperative of NCAA rules.
Student-Athlete Advocacy
In the student support aspect, there is an advocacy focus for athletes. The Student-Athlete Advocate’s goal is to help be a safe space to report concerns over any mistreatment. They also guide to resources across campus if they need other help. Safety and a good experience at the U is important for student-athletes, as it helps them be focused on what they do.
