Academic Excellence on the Field: Marquette Student-Athletes Balance Athletics and Academics

Despite the rigorous demands of being a student-athlete, a select few at Marquette University have achieved academic excellence, with only 5 out of 321 student-athletes maintaining a cumulative 4.0 GPA while also being at least a junior. Senior forward Julia O'Neill and junior midfielder Cate Downs, both on the Marquette women's soccer team, are among the exceptional individuals pushing themselves to excel in both academics and athletics.

Key Takeaways:

• Only 5 out of 321 student-athletes at Marquette University hold a cumulative 4.0 GPA while also being at least a junior.
• Junior midfielder Cate Downs and senior forward Julia O'Neill, both on the Marquette women's soccer team, are two of the students who have achieved this rare feat.
• Downs, a student in the college of business administration, has a packed schedule that includes working seven hours a week, completing coursework, tutoring three to four hours a week, participating in a marketing internship, and attending class, in addition to being at every two-and-a-half-hour team practice six times a week.
• Downs' schedule is typical of the team's student-athletes, which often balance academic and athletic responsibilities with the support of personal calendars, team management, and understanding from head coach Chris Allen.
• O'Neill, a nursing student, has also had to miss team events due to academic obligations, but finds solace in the support of her teammates and academic advisors.
• Downs and O'Neill credit their academic success to their rigorous schedules, support systems, and dedication to achieving their goals.
• Down's ultimate goal is to become a teacher, while O'Neill aims to become a NICU nurse, highlighting the importance of balancing both academics and athletics for long-term success.

Statistics:

• In the last 20 years, less than 10 Marquette student-athletes have finished their undergraduate degree with a cumulative 4.0.
• Downs works a total of 40 hours per week, combining academic and athletic responsibilities.
• The Marquette women's soccer team has two student-athletes (O'Neill and Downs) who have achieved a 4.0 GPA, making it rare to have two students on the same team with two different majors.
• The university's assistant director for academic services, Maureen Lewis, has observed that 75% of the team's student-athletes have personal calendars with their soccer events and academic schedules overlaid.

Sources:

• Ben Hanson, "Only 5 out of 321 Marquette student-athletes boast 4.0 GPA," Marquette Tribune
• Marquette Athletics
• Marquette University, College of Business Administration
• Marquette University, College of Health Sciences