Spring Break
An interview with Damon Evans
Alex Gregorie
Issue date: 10/23/08 Section: Sports
VISION: "The University of Georgia Athletic Association aspires to be the nation's premier intercollegiate athletics program both academically and athletically, a model of excellence for others to emulate, while enhancing the lives of student-athletes and preparing them for life beyond athletics." This statement is printed on the back of Damon Evans' business card. After spending the afternoon with him, it is evident that this is what he lives by. Evans touched a wide variety of subjects, but his biggest message was academics and responsibility. His vision touches so much more than just sports and is very inspiring.
Q: Since you took over in July of 2004, many changes have been made to the athletic department. In 2006 and 2007, UGA student athletes earned the highest departmental GPA ever recorded. What would you credit this to?
A: I think we have always had a good solid foundation with regards to doing things right academically I don't want it to seem as if I came in here and turned things around because I think my predecessor did some great things and laid a foundation. The credit for high GPA's and some of the things we have done academically go to our academic support staff. We have a great support staff over at our academic unit. They work with our student athlete's day in and day out emphasizing the importance of academics. In addition to that, I would like to give credit to the students themselves. Our students are paying particular attention to their academics. They see we value that and it's important to their overall success. I think it's our job to set the tone. And the tone here is that academics are significantly important to what we do, but it takes a large group of people to do it. I am excited about where we are but I still believe we have a long ways to go with regards to academics. We will continue to implement different policies, continue to stress the importance of academics, and continue to let our student athletes know we do care about them as individuals. A degree is something that no one can ever take away from you. People can take sports away at some point in time. Even if you go to the professional level, at some point in time they are going to say you're too old, too slow, its time for you to move on. That degree has an earning power that is huge and is something that is yours for the rest of your life. And while they're here I tell them they might as well get the degree. Why not?
Q: Since you took over in July of 2004, many changes have been made to the athletic department. In 2006 and 2007, UGA student athletes earned the highest departmental GPA ever recorded. What would you credit this to?
A: I think we have always had a good solid foundation with regards to doing things right academically I don't want it to seem as if I came in here and turned things around because I think my predecessor did some great things and laid a foundation. The credit for high GPA's and some of the things we have done academically go to our academic support staff. We have a great support staff over at our academic unit. They work with our student athlete's day in and day out emphasizing the importance of academics. In addition to that, I would like to give credit to the students themselves. Our students are paying particular attention to their academics. They see we value that and it's important to their overall success. I think it's our job to set the tone. And the tone here is that academics are significantly important to what we do, but it takes a large group of people to do it. I am excited about where we are but I still believe we have a long ways to go with regards to academics. We will continue to implement different policies, continue to stress the importance of academics, and continue to let our student athletes know we do care about them as individuals. A degree is something that no one can ever take away from you. People can take sports away at some point in time. Even if you go to the professional level, at some point in time they are going to say you're too old, too slow, its time for you to move on. That degree has an earning power that is huge and is something that is yours for the rest of your life. And while they're here I tell them they might as well get the degree. Why not?
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