Athletic Academic Services and Student Athlete Engagement

At Youngstown State University, academic success is the top priority for Penguin student-athletes. That focus is set by university administration and strictly adhered to by YSU athletic administration and coaches.

All Penguin student-athletes are assisted by one of our Academic Advisors, and there are two academic centers available exclusively to student-athletes.

Jermaine Hopkins Academic Center
Stambaugh Stadium Room 1097

Beeghly Academic Center
Beeghly Center Room 109

Academic Honors in YSU Athletics

Spring 2026 GPA Graphic. Highlights include a 3.55 department GPA, the highest in YSU Athletics history; 86 percent of student-athletes earning at least a 3.0 GPA for the semester; and 88 percent of student-athletes having a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.

Acdemic Advisors

Brian Welch

Assistant Athletic Director - Athletic Academic Services

Sports: Women's Basketball, Swimming & Diving, Soccer, Volleyball

bewelch@ysu.edu (330) 941-3127 Bio

Rebecca King

Associate Director - Athletic Academic Services

Sports: Baseball, Men's Basketball, Lacrosse, Softball

rjking03@ysu.edu (330) 941-1921 Bio

Taylor Blandine

Senior Athletic Academic Advisor/Director of Football Academics

Sports: Football, Men's Tennis

trblandine@ysu.edu (330) 941-3610 Bio

Nicole Law

Athletic Academic Coordinator

Sports: Men's and Women's Track/Cross Country, Bowling, Women's Golf, Women's Tennis

nclaw@ysu.edu (330) 941-3722 Bio

Naomi Domitrovich

Graduate Assistant, Athletic Academic Advising

nldomitrovich@student.ysu.edu

Academic Links

YSU faculty members are asked to evaluate student-athletes' academic performance twice per semester. Reports are compiled and discussed with each sports coaching staff.
YSU student-athletes are required to meet with their college academic advisor each semester. Student-athletes must also meet with their athletic academic advisor each semester to be able to register for classes for the following academic term.
Athletic academic advisors evaluate transcripts and test scores for prospective first year and transfer student-athletes.
Provide guidance to student-athletes on academic options.
Athletic academic advisors monitor student-athletes NCAA eligibility and progress toward degree.
Athletic academic advisors provide referrals to the appropriate campus resources including the Resch Academic Success Center, Math Achievement Center, Writing Center, Accessibility Services, as well as the Office of Career Exploration & Development for major and career guidance.

Jermaine Hopkins Center for Academics

The newly remodeled Jermaine Hopkins Center for Academics is a private study lounge available exclusively to student-athletes. Located in Room 1099 in Stambaugh Stadium, it is one of the best learning facilities in the Horizon League and Missouri Valley Football Conference.

The center features a computer lab, study tables and private cubicles. In the spring of 2020 the facility underwent a massive renovation courtesy of a $100,000 grant from the NCAA.

Please visit NCAA.org for more information regarding eligibility requirements and Division I Progress towards Degree Requirements.

Academic Requirements	Prior to the 2nd year of enrollment	Prior to the third year of enrollment	Prior to the fourth year of enrollment	Prior to the fifth year of enrollment
Regular Academic TERM	Must pass at least 6 semester hours of credit	Must pass at least 6 semester hours of credit	Must pass at least 6 semester hours of credit	Must pass at least 6 semester hours of credit
Regular Academic YEAR	Must pass 18 semester hours of credit	Must pass 18 semester hours of credit	Must pass 18 semester hours of credit	Must pass 18 semester hours of credit
Degree Credit	Credits earned can count toward any degree	Credits earned must go towards your major	Credits earned must go towards your major	Credits earned must go towards your major
Percentage of Degree	24 semester hours of credit, 18 credit hours must be completed over fall and spring	40% of your declared degree must be completed	60% of your declared degree must be completed	80% of your declared degree must be completed
Grade Point Average	You need at least a 1.8 GPA to be eligible to participate	You need at least a 1.9 GPA to be eligible to participate	You need at least a 2.00 to be eligible to participate	You need at least a 2.00 to be eligible to participate

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Event: General versus Baseball Golf Extravaganza on Aug 10, 2026 at 11 a.m.

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer at Pittsburgh on Aug 12, 2026 at 7 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Volleyball at Toledo (Exhibition) on Aug 15, 2026 at 4 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer at Indiana on Aug 16, 2026 at 1 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer versus Kent State on Aug 20, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Results

Completed Event: General versus Football Meet The Team Event on August 1, 2026

Completed Event: Penguin Club versus State Farm Penguin Club Scholarship Golf Outing on June 11, 2026

Completed Event: Penguin Club versus State Farm Penguin Club Scholarship Golf Outing on June 10, 2026

Completed Event: Track and Field versus NCAA East Region Preliminaries on May 29, 2026

Completed Event: Track and Field versus NCAA East Region Preliminaries on May 28, 2026

Athletic Academic Services and Student Athlete Engagement

Academic Honors in YSU Athletics

Acdemic Advisors

Brian Welch

Rebecca King

Taylor Blandine

Nicole Law

Naomi Domitrovich

Academic Links

Benefits provided by YSU's Athletic Academic Advisors

Jermaine Hopkins Academic Center

Jermaine Hopkins Center for Academics

NCAA Eligibility Requirements

Important YSU Links

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