Academics

Walter L. Gross Jr. Family Student-Athlete Development Center

The hub of Miami’s athletic facilities, the $5 million Walter L. Gross Jr. Family Student-Athlete Development Center was dedicated in the fall of 2001.

This facility, which is located between Millett Hall and Yager Stadium, caters to both the academic and physical needs of Miami’s student-athletes. One half of the facility is dedicated for an 10,000-square foot physical fitness center, which includes free and machine weights, a circuit training machine, cardiovascular equipment, and speed, agility and jump training facilities.

The other portion of the center is devoted to academic enrichment. The center features two large study areas, an informal study lounge, private tutoring offices and a computer lab.

“Miami’s athletics’ program has always prided itself with a strong commitment to both athletics and academics,” says Steve Cady, associate athletic director and chair of the project design team. “This facility epitomizes our philosophy. It is an unbelievable addition to our facilities.”

Separating the academic and physical fitness centers is a main lobby and reception area, which features a rotunda that dominates the reception lobby ceiling. Miami’s rich athletic tradition, headlined by the “Cradle of Coaches,” will be highlighted on the rotunda.

The facility opened its doors to student-athletes during the summer of 2001 and is a hub of activity during the academic year.

Miami Soccer and the APR
The initials APR stand for Academic Progress Rate. The APR is the tool by which the NCAA measures a team or a particular coach’s graduation rate. The highest possible APR score is 1000 and the national average APR for women’s soccer is 976. Miami’s Soccer Team has an APR of 994; 18 points higher then the national average.

Comparative APR’s for Division I Women’s Soccer Teams in Region II
Miami University 994
University of Dayton 991
Michigan State University 991
Indiana University 988
University of Toledo 987
University of Kentucky 986
Eastern Michigan University 985
Central Michigan University 985
University of Michigan 984
Western Michigan University 982
Ohio State University 982
Purdue University 979
University of Cincinnati 978
University of Louisville 977
Xavier University 977
Kent State University 975
Ohio University 972
Wright State University 972
Bowling Green State University 971
University of Akron 968

U.S. News and World Report
Best Undergraduate Teaching National Universities
Many colleges have a strong commitment to teaching undergraduates instead of graduate-level research. The schools on these lists are noted by college administrators as paying a particular focus on undergraduate teaching. Read the Article