Athletics at Xavier is more than just a game. It is an important part of the Jesuit philosophy of education that stresses the development of the mind, body and spirit of each student. Xavier is consistently among the top schools in the nation for student-athlete graduation rates. In the NCAA Official Graduation Rates Report, Xavier is consistently near 80% graduation rate, which exceeds the rate of 74% for XU's general student population.

Xavier placed 66 on the Spring 2005 Atlantic 10 Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll, which is over 31% of the individuals who compete in Xavier's A-10 sponsored sports. All honorees boast at least a 3.5 GPA. In fact, 21 Xavier student-athletes posted a perfect 4.0 grade point average during the spring semester.

During the 2004-05 academic year, Lauren Clary, Kate Duchek and Brian Thornton each garnered the Atlantic 10 Conference Student-Athlete of the Year for their respective sports. In addition, Clary was named the A-10 Scholar-Athlete of the Year while also being honored on the Academic All-America Second Team along with sister and teammate Kristen Clary. Duchek was named to the Academic All-America Third Team to go with her placement on the All-Conference Team.

The one person who deserves a major part of the credit for the success of Xavier's support system for student-athletes is nationally-renowned academic advisor Sr. Rose Ann Fleming. Fleming, who has been inducted into Xavier University's Hall of Fame, took over as academic advisor for XU student-athletes in 1985. The impressive of list of student-athletes who have left Xavier with degrees in hand include National Player of the Year, three-time Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year and 2003 Xavier graduate David West.

West is Xavier's tenth player to play in the NBA since 1993 and was joined last season by Nos. 11-13: Lionel Chalmers, Romain Sato and David Young. All 13 also own a Xavier diploma, as does 2001 women's basketball graduate Nicole Levandusky, XU's first-ever entrant into the WNBA.

Fleming came to Xavier as a teacher and master's degree student in 1992. She took over as academic advisor for student-athletes on August 1, 1985. Sr. Rose Ann Fleming, SND DeN, has over 40 years of experience as a college educator.

Fleming, who received her undergraduate degree from the College of Mt. Saint Joseph in 1954, has also earned two master's degrees, a Ph.D and a law degree. She was president of Cincinnati's Summit Country Day School from 1967-75 and president of Trinity College from 1975-82.

Fleming has been the subject of national features by the Associated Press, Reader's Digest and Fox Sports Net among others. More importantly she has proven her dedication to the Jesuit philosophy of education of education, a philosophy that stresses the development of the mind, body and spirit of each student.

Fleming is assisted by Kelly Brooks, Director of Student-Athlete Development, and Kim Powers, Senior Women's Administrator and Athletic Academic Advisor, in meeting the academic and development needs of all of Xavier's student-athletes.

The academic advisors in the athletic department not only monitor the study tables, but provide tutoring to the student-athletes. Each advisor works specifically with certain teams, giving the student-athletes a familiar contact for academic help.

Every freshman student-athlete at Xavier is required to attend study tables for two hours a day, Sunday-Thursday, every week of their first semester, whether in or out of season. Tutors are available at these study sessions to assist the student-athletes. At mid-term, freshmen who have earned less than a 3.25 GPA will be required to continue with study tables. For the rest of their Xavier career, any student-athlete who fails to earn a 2.75 GPA will be required to attend study tables. Part of the curriculum in the first semester at Xavier for all student-athletes is a Life Skills class called "Issues Affecting Student-Athletes" that is designed to teach students about time management, study skills, and other unique challenges that face student-athletes. Through the academic advising office, student-athletes have the opportunity to use university laptops on road trips to keep up with their course work. In addition, coaches hold study sessions for all team members on longer road trips.