Something our players have taught me over the years is that their GPA isn't often correlated with how "smart" they are. It has much more to do with their discipline, organization, and determination. If a player/student has a low GPA, it's probably because one or more of those attributes needs work.
But once they can maintain the discipline and commitment to getting good grades, a higher GPA doesn't necessarily make for a better college experience. In fact, an extreme focus on good grades often produces blinders that detract from what's really important.
And what's important is having an impact... creating something that's helpful to others. That impact is significantly more important than your GPA.
It can be something small, like learning to be a better listener or doing something that frightens you. Or it can be on a larger scale. What's most exciting is that you don't have to wait until graduation, or until you've "found the right career" to start having an impact:
- Liza Beardsely didn't wait to graduate to start our annual Frozen Fours volleyball tournament
- Kelly Edinger didn't wait to start helping with Special Olympics.
- Paulina Rein and Megan Collins started making Fredonia's athletic department better immediately by joining SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee).
- Several of our players work at the front desk of the school fitness center. I hope they realize that with every person who walks through the door there's a chance to create a better gym experience for someone... that's impact.
Our young women that have the best college experience are the ones that take responsibility for it. They show up to class and say, "teach me," rather than just asking, "is that going to be on the test?" They don't wait until they're in the right mood to give everything they have on the volleyball court.
Most of all they figure out what's going to be most helpful to others, and they do it.