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The WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to the promotion of the academic achievement of student-athletes as well as their athletic accomplishment and their personal and career development.

In support of this position, West Virginia University offers a variety of services and programs to help student-athletes maximize their academic potential. Department staff members work with coaches, on campus student service providers and faculty to help student-athletes meet the unique demands of the classroom, the sporting arena and the personal-social challenges they face as developing adults. Academics have been at the forefront of the success enjoyed by the Mountaineer athletic programs.

While many of the headlines center on the Mountaineers' accomplishments on the playing field, West Virginia athletes have also made some noteworthy strides in the classroom.

One person who is quick to point that out is athletic director Ed Pastilong, who has made academics a priority.

Open last fall was the brand new $1.3 million Athletic Academic Performance Center in the WVU Coliseum. The leadership gift for the facility was provided by former Mountaineer great Jerry West and his wife Karen. The West's gift to the Athletic Academic Performance Center is in memory of Jerry's brother, David, who was killed during the Korean Conflict, and in honor of his long-time friend and WVU teammate Willie Akers and wife, Linda. The 8,000-square-foot Academic Center is six-times larger than existing space. It will provide individual and group study areas as well as a state-of-the art computer lab and will be utilized by more than 450 male and female student-athletes.

“The Athletic Academic Performance Center is a significant development for an academically oriented institution such as West Virginia to recognize the special needs required for a modern student-athlete's success both as an athletic competitor on the field of play and in the classroom,” says Garrett Ford, Associate Athletic Director for Student Services.

The study center provides a quiet atmosphere and will be open seven days a week and all student athletes are encouraged to use it. Athletes can use the center between classes or after practice in the evenings, with flexible hours tailored to make the most of a student-athlete's limited time. Athletes may come and go as they please, but make no mistake, they must make the grade.

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