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Student athletes are typically faced with extensive academic requirements in order to maintain eligibility to play sports for the college. At PCC, special academic counseling for athletes is offered in the Athletic Zone.

The NCAA mandates that for a college student to compete in a sport, the student must be registered full-time studies and must maintain a 2.0 GPA. Also, the student athletes are able to compete for only up to five years, which limits their educational timeline.

According to Director Michael McClellan, the Athletic Zone offers the tools and information necessary for student athletes’ success. “We provide timely and accurate information, along with progress reports, tutoring, and help with transferring and financial aid,” said McClellan. “Most students don’t know what they need for eligibility.”

Athletic Director John Woods refers to the Zone as a “support system to facilitate academic success” for the athletes. “An athlete may come in very average but leave an all-American” Woods said.

“Without sports, I can’t go to my dream school,” said football player Mike Sepulveda, sports medicine. “The Zone helps make that possible.”

Wayne Peters, business, agrees that the Zone is beneficial. “It gives me quiet time to study and it helps me figure out what I need to do,” said Peters.

Because of the athletes’ goals and potential, Woods stresses the importance of the Zone. “Without it, our students would not have enough in their toolbox to get out of PCC,” Woods said.

Though competing in sports is important, McClellan wants people to see that these athletes are students before anything else. “We want student athletes to know, if they don’t take [academics] seriously from day one, they’re not going to be able to play,” said McClellan.

“If a student comes to us to participate, we need to use that interest to educate them,” said Woods. “It’s our responsibility to prepare them.”

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