Create Opportunity for Student-Athletes
Boston University has produced scores of Olympians, a member of baseball’s Hall of Fame, several NBA players, and more than 60 members of the NHL—more than any other American university. In recent years, our 24 varsity teams—14 women’s and 10 men’s—have dominated their conferences.
Boston University captured the America East Conference Commissioner’s Cup, awarded to the school with the strongest athletic program, seven years in a row and ten times in the last eleven years.
Beyond Competition
But just as important as these athletic accomplishments are the achievements of our student-athletes in the classroom and the community. The graduation rate for BU athletes is 95 percent; their cumulative grade point average is over 3.0. Our student-athletes are also leaders in the community as dedicated volunteers; in 2010-11, athletes put in 4,500 hours of community service.
Our teams and our student-athletes are our ambassadors. Whether they are at a track meet in Texas or facing a top-20 basketball team on national television, Boston University’s student athletes are the lens through which the University is seen. And closer to home, when they enter the classroom, they represent not only their teams, but also the entire athletics community.
My mom is a single parent who teaches at a New York City public school. Earning a scholarship has been a huge weight off my shoulders and has helped to reaffirm my choice to come to BU. I’m amazed that a donor would give so much to help me meet my goals. I just hope that my efforts on and off the water this year will help to show that I do not take their support for granted.
— Joseph Thilman (SAR’14), Men’s Crew
Morgan “Kim” Smith Crew Scholarship Recipient
Supporting Greatness
It’s true: A great university deserves great athletics. In fact, a great university needs great athletics—and great student-athletes deserve a great education: the kind they can receive only at an institution able to strike the balance between student and athlete, the kind they can receive only at Boston University.