By Amanda Cochran,
Staff Writer

For some of the Seton Hill University sports teams, study halls have become a weekly activity.

Implemented to improve student athlete performance in the classroom, the study halls vary from sport to sport. Men’s baseball study halls meet three nights a week for two-and-a-half hours. The eligible players must attend two out of the three study halls. The women’s field hockey and softball teams also meet for study halls: two times a week for one-and-a-half hours.

John Fogle, athletic director and women’s soccer coach, said, “The amount of time spent [in study halls] is proportionately equal to the need.”

According to Marc Marizzaldi, head baseball coach, the need is based partially upon grade reports. All freshmen baseball players must attend study halls, but after a student’s first year, a 3.0 or higher grade point average will excuse them from the structured study program.

“The toughest thing [for freshmen] is time management,” said Marizzaldi. “We recognized that. We are setting time aside. [Study halls] help develop good habits.”

Damon Cincotta, freshman said, “They’re good. I wouldn’t do my homework any other time.”

“The benefits are obvious,” said Jessica Black, head field hockey and softball coach, “They have to set that time aside.”

The study halls for baseball are monitored by at least one coach. According to Marizzaldi, many of the players seem to have their work finished, but the monitor asks them to read something while they are there. “Even though they may not be using the time to their advantage, just the fact that we have [study halls] makes them realize the importance of their grades.”

Athletes have mixed opinions toward the structured study time.

“I like them,” said Whitney Nash, freshman, “They put academics before sports and they don’t let you slack off. You can definitely tell between which teams have them and which ones don’t. They make you take your academics more seriously. I think all teams should have them.”

“They are very useful, but they suck to go to,” said Jason Glowacki, sophomore.

According to Fogle the study halls are not in response to a problem. “We don’t do it because we think they are poor students; we do it because we want better students. Athletics is very important; it benefits the entire community, but we are here to graduate these students. End of story.”

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