Roundup

Published: 8/18/08 at 6:02 PM PST Section: Sports

Media Credit: Erin Hoover Joseph Roberson, counselor and Pierce alumnus, gives an orientation speech to athletes enrolled in Personal Development 15C, a one-unit academic-success course.

In an effort to familiarize athletes at Pierce College with skills for achieving academic success while participating in sports, Personal Development 15C - The Summer Readiness Program for Athletes - started today and will continue through Thursday.

The one-unit class is geared toward freshman and sophomore football players, and is taught by a mixture of faculty members, administration and coaches.

Joseph Roberson, a counselor and Pierce alumnus, thought up the idea for the class in 1977 while playing for the Pierce football team.

"It's the skill sets and critical thinking processes that they need to take forward to the university…in order to be successful, and in the secular world as well," Roberson said.

After sharing his idea with the faculty, many individuals took interest in Roberson's idea and began working together to get the program up and running.

"Because all these individuals from the administration to the faculty knew that something like this was necessary, it then came to life," Roberson said. "It really is just an effort contributed by everyone on campus."

The class comprises a mixture of study-skill tips, lectures from faculty members and tours of buildings and offices on campus that may aid students in achieving successful academic careers.

Although PD 15C is aimed toward athletes, it is open to any student who would like to learn more about personal development, especially if they are just entering college.

Efrain Martinez, head football coach, supports the program and feels it would be useful for teaching athletes how to promote themselves in a positive way to the student community.

"We're trying to change the image of the football program by getting the administrators, the sheriffs, counselors, teachers and the whole school involved," Martinez said.

Athletes will be introduced to peer mentors - football team members who have previously played on the team - and academic mentors.

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