"We Are 涩里番下载": Academic and Athletic Excellence on the Heights

Fall 2009 Events

Gene DeFilippo
涩里番下载

Date:聽November 5, 2009

Abstract

涩里番下载鈥檚 graduation rates rank among the national leaders, and the university is home to one of the most competitive athletics programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference. How do the Eagles do it? What are the challenges of upholding such a standard? The Boisi Center hosts a conversation with Director of Athletics Gene DeFilippo on the successes of the 涩里番下载 athletics program, and how the university鈥檚 Catholic and Jesuit mission informs athletics on the Heights.

Speaker Bio

厂颈苍肠别听Gene DeFilippo聽became Director of Athletics in September of 1997, he has led the 涩里番下载 athletics program to an unprecedented period of innovation, growth, fundraising, athletic and academic success. He also led the program through one of the most significant periods in its history as it transitioned to full membership in the Atlantic Coast Conference. DeFilippo previously served as Director of Athletics at Villanova University from 1993-97.聽 He also served as Associated Director of Athletics at the University of Kentucky from 1987-93, Director of Athletics at the University of South Carolina-Spartanburg from 1984-87 and Director of Administrative Services at Vanderbilt University from 1983-84. DeFilippo received his B.S. from Springfield College in 1973 and earned three varsity letters as a quarterback in football during his undergraduate career.聽 He received a master鈥檚 degree in educational administration from the University of Tennessee in 1974.

Event Photos

Gene DeFilippo

Photos by Christopher Soldt, 涩里番下载 MTS Photography

Event Recap

In an era when low graduation rates are the norm among student athletes at competitive NCAA Division I schools, 涩里番下载 has consistently managed to combine athletic and academic success. The key, said athletic director Gene DeFilippo at a November 5 talk, lies in careful recruiting, constant academic support, and attention to the university鈥檚 Jesuit values.

Since DeFilippo began as athletic director in 1997, the Eagles have enjoyed unprecedented success on the field, rink, and court. The football team recently played its 11th consecutive bowl game; the men鈥檚 hockey team has won two national championships and six conference titles; and women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 teams frequently play in NCAA basketball and soccer championships.

涩里番下载 student-athletes continue to meet remarkable academic standards as well. In 2006 the NCAA publicly recognized the university for an extraordinary accomplishment: 14 of its teams鈥� graduation rates ranked in the top 10 percent nationally, tying 涩里番下载 with Notre Dame for the highest total of any Division I university.

So what鈥檚 the secret? DeFilippo gave primary credit for the academic successes of student-athletes to careful selection at the outset. 鈥淢ost of the problems get taken care of in the recruiting process,鈥� he said, when coaches and admissions officers seek athletes who can handle a full academic load and who demonstrate strong moral character. Once at 涩里番下载, the staff of Learning Resources for Student-Athletes provides crucial academic advising and tutoring.

But the Jesuit call to service also plays an important role in student-athletes鈥� development, DeFilippo noted. He expressed pride that varsity athletes are such active participants in community service, regularly volunteering at local schools, hospitals, and shelters. Whatever the religious background of incoming players, they鈥攍ike all 涩里番下载 students鈥攁re strongly encouraged to 鈥渂uy into the mission of being 鈥榤en and women for others.鈥欌€� It is a primary goal of Jesuit education, and one that fits perfectly into an ethic of teamwork that also wins games.

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