One of your star players has fallen below their required GPA to participate in their sport. What do you do?

"I'd meet with everyone I should - the coaches, the student's instructors, the compliance officer, and their parents - and come up with a plan. Only once did a student get dropped from the team. The rest of the time, we were able to curb the behavior and get the kid back on track. But it is highly individualized, and you have to identify the root of the problem before you can address it."

"Part of the program is balancing mind, body, and spirit. I not only make sure our athletes have a positive physical routine and proper diet, but I make sure our coaches are mentors who have a good feel for the athlete's state of mind and emotional well-being. Additionally, I am proactive in ensuring everyone is on top of their studies. As with everything in life, it pays to be proactive rather than reactive."

Part of the role of an athletic director is to create a culture where athletes are encouraged to perform at their best, academically and athletically. If an athlete's academic performance is not what it should be, this imbalance should immediately be corrected by coordinating with compliance officers, school administrators, or instructors to support their continued engagement in their chosen sport. Often, this involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle, per an athletic director's preventative healthcare and safety protocol.