The Department of Academic and Student-Athlete Support Services is a comprehensive system designed to advise, track and monitor the academic progress of student-athletes throughout the academic year. The program serves as a communication network providing feedback from the faculty to the department, coaches and student-athletes. "We have an open-door policy for any student-athlete," said Sonya Hurt. "As former athletes, we understand what today's student-athletes go through to adjust and create a balance." "Balance is one key to success and that is why we are here, to see that our student-athletes create a balance between academics and athletics so that they graduate from FDU with an understanding of balance which will carry throughout their lives." The Department of Academic and Student-Athlete Support Services' involvement in a student-athlete's career at FDU begins with advisement. Choosing a major and signing up for prerequisites and university-required courses, monitoring progress and maintaining satisfactory grades. Aside from advisement and monitoring the student-athletes' progress, the department will provide seminars on the following topics: -Time Management -Study Habits -Test Preparation -Note Taking -Career Development. The department will provide student-athletes with study halls and tutoring sessions and opportunities such as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Each team will be required by the department to develop a community service project. Past projects include: Thanksgiving Food Drive, Spirit Day, Toys for Tots, Clothing Drive, Habitat for Humanity, National Reading Day, National Student-Athlete Day, Food Bank of North Jersey.

SONYA HURT Director of Academic & Student-Athlete Services Sonya Hurt joined the FDU staff in August 1999 from the NCAA Headquarters as the Director of Academic and Student-Athlete Support Services. In this role, Hurt supervises the academic advisement and monitoring of FDU student-athletes and will conduct wellness seminars aimed at improving the general welfare of FDU's student-athletes. At the NCAA, Hurt spent the last year working as a Membership Services intern. She assisted member schools with NCAA legislation and interpretations and represented the NCAA through participation in professional seminars. In addition, Hurt was a subcommittee member for the 1999 Title IX seminar and for the 1999 Champs/Life Skills Orientation and Continuing Education Conference. Prior to joining the NCAA, Hurt worked as a graduate assistant for two years at Grambling State University. From 1995 through 1997, she worked as an Academic Advisor coordinating the work of student-athletes for the Office of Academic Enhancement. She advised student-athletes in degree, curriculum and schedule selection and also implemented a comprehensive tutoring program which improved student-athlete eligibility by 30% in her first year.

PETER GAGLIOTI Assistant Director of Academic & Student-Athlete Support Services Gaglioti returns to FDU filling a dual role as the Assistant Director of Academic and Student Athlete Support Services and head coach of the new women's soccer program. Gaglioti was an assistant men's soccer coach in 1993 and helped lead the team to a Northeast Conference title. As Hurt's assistant, Gaglioti will assist in the academic advisement, monitoring and progress of student-athletes in the classroom and design programs to enhance student-athlete welfare issues. A Norwood, N.J. native, Gaglioti has played, coached and developed players in New Jersey and Michigan. He recently was the Director of Coaching for the Ann Arbor (Mich.) Youth Soccer Association and was a member of the Olympic development staff for Region II.

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