Since opening in the fall of 2000, Gerald J. Ford Stadium and the Paul B. Loyd All Sports Center have been invaluable additions to the Hilltop and a boost to SMU Athletics. Today, the Loyd Center provides the home for the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center and for the offices SMU's newest support program for student-athletes, the Center for the Development of Student-Athletes (CDSA). Together, these critical programs provide specialized support for SMU student-athletes as they strive for academic excellence. "With our strong commitment to the success of our student-athletes, the need for student-athlete mentoring is stronger than ever," said Steve Orsini, SMU's Director of Athletics. "I am confident that the CDSA will help our student-athletes reach one of our goals for them - to graduate with an SMU degree." The CDSA is devoted to cultivating the complete student-athlete experience. At its core, CDSA is a mentoring program. Through a proven mentoring philosophy, the CDSA staff is committed to motivating, encouraging, and empowering student-athletes so that they can maximize their athletic and academic potential. CDSA personnel includes: the Director of Student-Athlete Development, an Associate Director for Testnig and Assessment, as well as four Academic and Life Skills Coordinators, and an Administrative Assistant focused solely on enhancing the student-athlete's total campus experience. "Academics and athletics go hand-in-hand for student-athletes at SMU," said Dave Wollman, SMU's Assistant A.D./Academic Affairs & Student-Athlete Development and head of the CDSA. "The team will empower each student-athlete with the personal skill set necessary to achieve success in both areas." The Center for the Development of Student-Athletes is housed in a newly renovated wing on the third floor of the Loyd Center. The newly acquired space includes the new Cangelosi Family computer lab which gives student-athletes greater access to study, research and academic assistance. |
