A league of our own

Brian C. Mitchell
President's Message
Bucknell World
Spring 2007

Like all Bison fans, Maryjane and I enjoy the electric atmosphere of games at Sojka Pavilion, the company of old friends in the crowd at Christy Mathewson–Memorial Stadium, and the excitement of cheering our teams to another victory in a thrilling sports event. Bucknell fans are especially proud to know our student-athletes excel in the classroom too.

Balancing act
It’s hard for many of us to imagine how student-athletes balance a full course load with the demands of Division I sports at a school as academically strong as Bucknell. But at Bucknell, they do. In the 16 years of the Patriot League, Bucknell has won the President’s Cup for sports success 12 times, while at the same time setting the standard for academic excellence in this league of outstanding academic institutions. For example:

• In 2005–06, Bucknellians comprised nearly one-fourth of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, which recognizes student-athletes who earn a 3.2+ GPA in the semester during which their sports compete. A record total of 330 Bison achieved this distinction last year.

• Bucknell claimed its 100th Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year in spring 2005. The Bison now have 104 Patriot League scholar-athletes, more than twice the next-highest total.

• Among all Bucknell student-athletes, 243 made the Dean’s List in fall 2006, earning GPAs of 3.5 or better. Twenty-six of our 27 varsity squads posted team GPAs of 3.0 or better last semester.

Bucknell student-athletes, of course, excel by national standards too. We have had 113 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-Americans since 1970, the fourth-highest total in all of Division I, behind only Nebraska, Notre Dame, and Penn State.

Bucknell presents compelling evidence that this is a community committed to excellence on all levels — as individuals, as teams, and as a university.

Alumni-athletes
In the cover story of the Spring 2007 issue of Bucknell World, we explore how Bucknell athletics have affected the post-college lives of a dozen alumni. Their experiences as student-athletes influenced their success off the playing field by giving them the opportunity to develop crucial attributes for success in life, such as time management, tenacity, dedication, teamwork, effective communication, and the capacity for deep friendships. As Bucknell students, these alumni used these skills to tap their potential. As Bucknell alumni, they are confident and focused leaders in and contributors to society and a variety of careers.

Former baseball captain Frank Arentowicz ’69 sums up his experience beautifully: “Back then, I didn’t realize that what I was learning would be so helpful later in life, when I was juggling the multiple commitments of working and being a spouse and father.”

Stephanie Buck Dewar ’82, who played basketball and softball, credits Bucknell athletics with helping her develop the physical and mental stamina, confidence, and persistence needed to become a physician: “During those long nights of medical school and residency, it was terribly helpful to know that I could make it through.” With that kind of foundation, there are no limits to success.

Opportunities for all
While the featured alumni-athletes provide a good example of the lasting benefits of Bucknell, my guess is that all Bucknellians can relate to the type of advantages Frank and Stephanie describe. It doesn’t matter whether your primary extracurricular college activity is football, student government, or theatre. The opportunities for full lives of learning and discovery that Bucknell offers to undergraduates tend to nurture marvelous possibilities. These positive, lifeshaping forces may not be foremost in a varsity swimmer’s mind as she consults with a coach after early-morning laps — or works alongside a faculty member in a first-class laboratory. But in years to come, she, like many Bucknellians, will realize that such experiences have made her alma mater a true home for life. I can only say, Go Bison.