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Student-Athlete Experience

UWF Student Athlete Handbook student-athlete experience information.

Table of Contents

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

The Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is an excellent vehicle to promote communications between Athletic Administration and student-athletes. Most athletic programs have a wealth of information that needs to be routinely disseminated to the student-athletes. Most programs are also interested in getting more feedback from their student-athletes about department policies and structure. Some needs for the SAAC:

  • Soliciting student-athlete input on programs.
  • Organizing speakers’ bureau and other community service efforts.
  • Generating a student-athlete voice within the department.
  • Soliciting a student-athlete response to proposed NCAA legislation.
  • Disseminating information to student-athletes.
  • Creating a vehicle for student-athlete representation on campus-wide committees.

The membership of SAAC represents the diversity of your student-athlete population and involves representatives from every sport.Each member serves as a liaison between the committee and his or her individual team.

An executive board including a President and Vice President oversee the operations of SAAC. All positions are held by student-athletes and will be selected through an application process. The executive board constructs a constitution and by-laws approved by the representatives. The constitution is essential in outlining the policies and operating procedures of the committee.

Annual Athletic Awards

The Argies

The Argies is a special tradition that celebrates the individuals whose dedication, generosity, and achievements contribute to the success of our athletics program. Each year in the spring, we recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our student-athletes, honor the commitment and leadership of our coaches and staff, and express our sincere appreciation to the donors whose support helps make our mission possible.

Student-Athlete Awards

Richard and Sandra Berg Scholar Athlete of the Year

  1. Must have been an active member of a UWF sponsored varsity sport (red-shirted players would not be eligible) from the previous athletic season.
  2. Must be at least a sophomore in academic standing.
  3. Must have completed the playing season in their respective sport.
  4. The award honors the highest cumulative GPA at the end of the fall semester for one male and one female student-athlete.
  5. Tie-Breaks will be determined based on total number of credit hours completed at UWF

The Dr. Pat Wentz Student-Athlete Leadership Award

The Student-Athlete Leadership Award was established to honor student-athletes who have exemplified leadership throughout their collegiate career. The award recognizes student-athletes who demonstrate innovative, motivational leadership impacting their academic, athletic, and community environments. The awards will recognize up to one male and one female student-athlete a year. Coaches will nominate 1 member of their team and be interviewed by a group of UWF Athletics Administrators to determine the winner.

Nominees will be reviewed and an award winner will be selected based on the following criteria:

  1. Individual Interview
  2. Nominee’s individual awards; UWF, ASC, UAC, NCAA
  3. Community Service efforts
  4. Overall GPA

This award is handed out every year at the student leadership award banquet in spring hosted by student affairs, and recognized again at The Argies every spring.

Hercules and Atalanta Awards-Best overall Male/Female Athletes

Hercules was the son of Zeus and is famous for his strength and athletic abilities. Atalanta was an Arcadian princess and was the only female Argonaut.

  1. Must be nominated by a coach
  2. Voted on by coaches and staff

Top Moment Award

  1. May be presented to one individual OR team.
  2. Nominations are made through the coach's suggestion and Athletic Communications.
  3. Winner determined by the votes of student athletes.

Best Record Breaking Performance

  1. Nominated by coaches
  2. Winner decided on by vote of coaches and staff

Argo Challenge Award

The Argo Challenge award is presented to a team that demonstrates the highest overall commitment to development on the field, in the community, and through individual growth. The efforts of this team have been evident throughout the year, and they best reflect what it means to be a UWF student-athlete. It is our hope that the example they set, will inspire others in future years to continue this tradition.

SAAC Athlete of the Year

The SAAC Athlete of the Year award is presented to the member of SAAC who has gone above and beyond. Throughout the year, this athlete has consistently demonstrated a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. In both competition and in the community, this athlete exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete, and displays the true meaning of the motto "building champions for life."

Student Athlete Surveys

The University of West Florida currently uses student-athlete experience surveys to evaluate the treatment of student-athletes throughout their time at the University and in the athletic department.

The survey is sent out at the end of every academic year to student-athletes through a link given to student-athletes through TeamWorks HUB. The responses are anonymous and reviewed by the senior leadership team. This senior leadership team will identify concerns and plans for improvement. The Director of Athletics and specific sport supervisor will address concerns with coaches if the need arises.

Student-Athlete Experience

Certain staff members are uniquely qualified in specific areas (compliance, sports medicine, academics, etc.), but you can speak to any administrator with whom you feel comfortable. This includes your sport administrator, Director of Athletics, Faculty Athletic Representative (Dr. Willie Tubbs), your Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members or members of the University Athletic Committee. While the athletic department administration will never discuss playing time, any issue concerning health and safety, student-athlete well-being, mental health etc., is a top priority and will be handled as such.

"Building Champions For Life" Program

The University of West Florida’s Building Champions for Life program is a comprehensive student-athlete development initiative designed to prepare Argonauts for success beyond competition. Rooted in a holistic approach, the program integrates career readiness, leadership development, health and wellness, academic excellence, and community engagement into the student-athlete experience. Through intentional programming, mentorship, and resources, UWF empowers its student-athletes to grow personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact on campus and in the community.

The program equips student-athletes with the skills and experiences necessary to thrive in their careers by promoting professionalism, critical thinking, and real-world preparation. Leadership is fostered through opportunities for service, campus involvement, and role modeling, while health and wellness initiatives support the physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing of every student-athlete. Academic achievement remains a central focus, with resources that encourage excellence in the classroom and beyond. At the same time, student-athletes are inspired to give back through volunteerism and community partnerships that strengthen their sense of purpose and social responsibility.

By developing the whole person—not just the athlete—Building Champions for Life ensures UWF student-athletes graduate as confident, capable, and connected individuals, ready to lead lives of impact long after their playing days are over.

Vision

UWF aspires to be a highly successful academic and athletic program competing for national championships and committed to "Building Champions for Life."

Mission

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics serves as a premier pillar of the University, dedicated to the holistic development of student-athletes. By providing elite resources and a high-performance environment, we prepare our students to excel in the classroom, thrive in Division I competition, and emerge as leaders committed to service and lifelong integrity

Goals

  1. Recruit and graduate prepared student athletes by creating an environment that enables student athletes to achieve academic and career success, "Building Champions for Life."
    1. Align with D1 academic standards. Coordinate with University personnel to ensure all student-athletes met NCAA division 1 eligibility requirements
    2. Target APR Benchmarks: implement strategies to maintain a team academic progress rate (APR) above the NCAA minimum of 930 to avoid penalties and loss of postseason eligibility.
    3. Deploy Academic Support Technology: utilize specialized software, such as Navigate, to provide real-time tracking of study hall attendance, tutoring appointments, and progress reports.
    4. Expand holistic services: Enhance academic services and student athlete development opportunities by adding staff to meet the NCAA Student Athlete Core Guarantees.
    5. Support former Student athletes: Create formal degree completion opportunities and financial support for former student athletes who have exhausted their eligibility but have not yet graduated.
  2. Foster interdepartmental collaboration among programs, faculty, and staff to support student athletes in all aspects of their experience at UWF.
    1. Faculty Engagement: implement a faculty recognition program to doctor relationships between academic and athletic departments.
    2. Performance Metrics; Connect staff performance evaluations, to retention, departmental academic achievement, individual student athlete GPA, and team APR/GSR improvements.
    3. Proactive Compliance: Ensure all academic staff are trained in NCAA, conference, and university regulations regarding academic misconduct.
  3. Provide outstanding academic support to student athletes and position UWF as a top academic institution in the ASUN UAC.
    1. Enhance Support Structure: Hire, train, and support additional tutors and academic Counselors to provide specialized support for at-risk student athletes.
    2. Personalized Success Plans: Create tailored academic plans based on comprehensive assessments of student athlete performance and career goals.
    3. Advisory Systems: Maximize student athletes management technology (e.g., teamworks) for real-time tracking of academic performance, study hall hours, and compliance data.
  4. Position UWF student athletes or success in their careers after sports.
    1. Life After Sports: Create proactive counseling, networking opportunities, and professional development workshops, including financial literacy and NIL- related education.
    2. Alumni Mentorship: Connect current student athletes with former student athletes for career advice and networking.

Argonaut Leadership Academy

The Argonaut leadership academy develops the leadership skills of student-athletes through a structured leadership training program that includes workshops, peer support, and mentorship opportunities.