Jacksonville, AL – Jacksonville State University Athletics is proud to announce a transformative new initiative aimed at bolstering academic and personal support for Gamecock student-athletes. This collaborative effort between the Athletics department and the Student Success Center was officially unveiled in Spring 2024, aligning with the NCAA’s Holistic Student-Athlete Model as the university prepares for its transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) classification.
Recognizing the evolving needs of student-athletes, the initiative focuses on providing comprehensive support across various areas, including degree completion, medical coverage, mental health services, career counseling, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and more. This model is designed to comply with NCAA mandates requiring Division I institutions to enhance support systems for both current and former student-athletes.
To implement this new framework, the Student Athlete Academic Success Team (SAAST) was formed in Summer 2024. Led by key figures such as Dr. Tim King, Vice Provost for Student Success, and Dr. Janet Bavonese, Associate Vice Provost for Academic, Athletic, & Career Advising, the team also includes Misty Ray, Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services. Together, they have assembled a dedicated group of academic success staff, engagement specialists, eligibility experts, and athletic compliance officers.
SAAST convenes weekly to foster collaboration and communication, ensuring holistic academic advising, success coaching, and student-athlete development. A standout feature of this model is the introduction of the Athletic Academic Counselor role, which merges the functions of academic advising, success coaching, and athletic advising into a single position. This innovation streamlines resources and enhances student-athlete time management.
Rachel Haas, the Director of Student Athlete Academic Success, leads the SAAST, supported by Athletic Academic Counselors such as Nathan Roberts and Rachel Merritt for Football, Mallorie Kandziorski for Volleyball, Baseball, and Tennis, Ashley Oliver for Bowling, Softball, Soccer, Rifle, and Golf, and Rolonzia Stitts for Basketball, Cross Country, and Track & Field. Additionally, Dr. Yolanda McCants serves as the Lead Learning Specialist, providing targeted academic interventions.
In a move to further enrich student-athlete experiences, Michelle Green has stepped into the role of Student-Athlete Engagement Specialist. She oversees programs focused on career growth, leadership, personal development, community service, and mentorship.
As the transfer portal gains significance in college athletics, Jacksonville State has appointed Tracy Broom, a seasoned athletic academic advisor, as the Assistant Athletic Director for Eligibility. In this capacity, Broom will manage transfer-related matters and oversee the department’s eligibility and academic awards processes, as well as DEI initiatives.
Misty Ray has been promoted to Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services, leading the student-athlete development team, while Tee Neely has ascended to Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, supported by Ethan Rich.
This new initiative reflects Jacksonville State University’s commitment to enhancing the academic and personal success of its student-athletes, ensuring they receive the support needed to thrive both on and off the field.
