Louisiana RaginӰר Cajuns student-athletes have a new place to hit the books.
The ӰרӰרs 5,431-square-foot Student-Athlete Academic Services Center replaces the previous learning center in Agnes Edwards Hall.
The new state-of-the-art center on the third floor of Edith Garland Dupré Library houses a 25-desk classroom, a 48-seat computer lab, tutoring spaces with computers, connections for laptops, offices and other amenities.
ӰרItӰרs designed to give student-athletes tools to succeed in the classroom and in their respective sports,Ӱר said Christy Alford, assistant director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Academics Services.
In addition to academic support, UL LafayetteӰרs more than 400 student-athletes are instructed about NCAA, Sun Belt Conference and Ӱר regulations and standards.
Beyond keeping Louisiana RaginӰר Cajuns on the playing field, the center helps prepare them for life after the last whistle blows, Alford said.
ӰרIt provides resources that will help student-athletes reach their personal and professional goals. That starts with academic accomplishment,Ӱר she explained.
The strategy is working.
Over the last five years, student-athletes at the Ӱר have consistently graduated at rates higher than their peers at the Sun Belt ConferenceӰרs 12 institutions and the stateӰרs 11 Division 1 schools.
"The success is a testament to our student-athletes. They work very hard to achieve their goals,Ӱר Alford said.
Photo caption: The ӰרӰרs new Student-Athlete Academic Services Center provides tutoring and academic counseling for its more than 400 Louisiana RaginӰר Cajuns who play 16 sports. (Photo credit: Doug Dugas / Ӱר).