---

Bauer helps student-athletes succeed academically

---

By Jan Winslow Athletic Media Relations

Fresno State student-athletes are not only competitive on the field, but also in the classroom. Year after year, Fresno State produces numerous academically, as well as, athletically successful adults.

Providing more than 550 student-athletes with various advisers, learning specialists and graduate assistants, the Fresno State Athletics Academic Services staff helps student-athletes meet Fresno State academic requirements and meet eligibility regulations for the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Western Athletic Conference.

Overseeing the academia is a taxing job. Not only does the Fresno State Athletics Academic Services staff work with student-athletes in their goal of obtaining a degree, they work with the Athletics Media Relations Office to nominate and promote student-athletes for postgraduate opportunities.

In her ninth year as an assistant director in the Fresno State Athletics Academic Services department, Cleo Bauer has been responsible for advising volleyball, softball, soccer, wrestling, track and field and cross country over the years.

Assisting in course and major selection as well as assuring compliance with NCAA eligibility standards, Bauer also serves as the department liaison to the Student Athlete Advisory Board that addresses student-athletes concerns to involvement in community service projects. Also, she is responsible for student-athletes that attend summer school sessions and she manages the fifth-year scholarship program.

Bauer also works closely with the Kiwanis Clubs of Fresno and Madera Counties (District 5) in spearheading the Kiwanis Torch of Excellence dinner. Last year's Kiwanis Torch of Excellence saw Fresno State honor 267 student-athletes, including 146 Dean's List honorees and 71 WAC all-academic selections. With 39 perfect 4.0 GPAs, the Bulldogs also celebrated the accomplishments of those student-athletes who are part of the Smittcamp Honors College.

Bauer's work doesn't end when undergraduate days are over ­ she makes sure that the student-athletes have a chance to continue their education. She oversees 14 postseason awards and scholarship programs alone while working jointly with the Athletics Media Relations office in eight other scholarships curriculums.

The numbers over the past nine years have been remarkable. Nineteen Verizon Academic All-Americans have been selected since 1995 and six have gone on to receive the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, which carries a one-time grant of $5,000 for postgraduate study at the university or professional school of choice.

In 2000, Fresno State had its first NCAA Top VIII Award recipient in four-time All-America softball standout Amanda Scott. In 2001, Fresno State had its first student-athlete, Vernon Fox, honored with a National Football Foundation Scholarship and College Hall of Fame Postgraduate Scholarship.

In 1998, Fresno State had its first Stan Bates award winner in former Bulldog soccer standout and current professional Christina Bell and, in 2001, the university had its second honoree in All-America softball standout Becky Witt. The Bates award, established by the WAC in 1981, recognizes the conference's top male and female senior scholar-athlete based on an individual's athletic and academic accomplishments and carries $2,000 postgraduate scholarship.

Two student-athletes have earned the President's Medal at Fresno State: former All-America tennis standout Dora Djilianova (2000) and former track and field standout Derrick Mitchell (1998).

Back to University Journal, 3/03 Issue