The Cardinal Life Skills commitment to Academic Excellence supports the academic growth of the student-athlete toward intellectual growth and graduation.

The ULAA Olga S. Peers Academic Center for Student-Athletes assists each student-athlete in planning their academic career through a variety of services. Academic enrichment is offered through training in study skills, time management, academic integrity, and goal setting. Athletic academic counselors are experts in issues of eligibility and work closely with their student-athletes to assist in planning for their own academic success and progress towards a degree.

At the beginning of fall semester, incoming student-athletes are required to participate in a New Student-Athlete Orientation. Students learn about academic services that are provided to student-athletes, they get the chance to interact with other new student-athletes, and to participate in a professor/student panel where they have the opportunity to ask questions about their transition to college life.

Many of the services that are provided in the Olga Peers Academic Center are directed toward academic achievement, but we realize that success in one area often leads to and supports success in other areas. Successful people usually succeed at whatever they do. Services are directed at the whole person - the student, the athlete, and the individual. College is about helping people develop and its purpose is to prepare them to be leaders in their communities and in society.

An annual Red and Black Banquet is held in February by the University of Louisville's Committee on Academic Performance to honor those student-athletes who have a cumulative 3.25 grade point average. Furthermore, each academic year, eligible student-athletes can be nominated and receive Conference USA, University of Louisville and NCAA Awards & Recognition. Some examples of these awards include; C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll, C-USA Scholar-Athlete of the Year, University of Louisville Dean's List, Athletic Director's Honor Roll, the Kallay Athlete of the Year Awards, NCAA Post graduate Scholarships, Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship, the NCAA Ethnic Minority & Women's Enhancement Program, and the Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar Award.

For information on the Life Skills Program, contact: