SASP is LSU’s Summer Academic Success Program for incoming student-athletes. The program is designed to assist students in making the adjustment from their previous school to post-secondary education and help new student-athletes understand the values, traditions, norms, and expectations of the educational experience at Louisiana State University. In addition to completing course requirements, incoming students develop academic skills, hear from relevant guest speakers, and participate in student-athlete development workshops.
The SASP programming provides academic resources and the life skills needed for an incoming student-athlete to experience success within the collegiate environment. This helps foster self-confidence, leading to student-athletes taking responsibility and initiative for their own growth and development. SASP creates a culture with incoming student-athletes that places a priority on academics, accountability, and integrity.
Courses
Incoming students are typically placed in EDCI 1001: Introduction to College Study and ENGL 1001: English Composition. Students who already have college credits or whose scores prove their readiness may be placed in a math or science. Courses are chosen strategically to help students successfully earn six credits early, find success in their transition to college, and adjust to the expectations of a college-level course.
Learning Profiles
In order to create a comprehensive learning profile, each student-athlete fills out the following:
o Consent Form
o Technology Access Form
o Educational History Form
o Personal and Family History Form
o Student Interest Form
Additionally, student-athletes complete Math, Reading, Writing, and VARK assessments to give ACSA staff members a clear idea of the support the student will need throughout their academic career at LSU. Data is compiled, and the learning profile is created and disseminated to those who would benefit from having that information—coaches, advisors, and tutors.
Math Workshops
Math workshops are conducted once per week for 30 minutes by ACSA’s math specialist. These mandatory workshops are meant to prepare student-athletes for college math through engaging, competitive activities. Students solve riddles, look at probability, and solve problems in their SASP groups.
Writing Workshops
Writing workshops are conducted once per week for one hour by an instructor from the LSU English Department. These mandatory workshops are meant to prepare student-athletes for various types of writing they will conduct throughout their career at LSU and beyond. Topics covered include crafting an email, restating a question, plagiarism and citations, outlining, and rhetorical devices. Students work in groups and write about engaging topics to understand and prepare for the expectations of college writing.
Mental Health Workshops
Mental health workshops are conducted once per week to help student-athletes acclimate to the stressors of college life, get to know the sports psych and counseling staff, and to help them understand how important it is to understand and tend to their mental health.
Academic Skills Modules
Over the course of five weeks, students are required to complete four academic skills modules addressing topics including:
Academic Integrity
The Study Cycle
Note Taking in College
Technology
SASP tutors are expected to reinforce the concepts covered in the academic skills modules within their sessions so students can implement the skills they learn throughout the summer.
Student-Athlete Development
Throughout the summer, students will hear from speakers who cover topics like financial literacy, consent, and cultural competency so they are well-equipped to face the challenges and responsibilities of being a student-athlete. There are also opportunities for community service and team building for students to get to know one another and the ACSA staff and to get familiar with and give back to the greater Baton Rouge community.
