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The secret behind the academic success for Tide athletes is Alabama's Center of Athletic Student Services (CASS), headed by Assistant Athletics Director for Student Services Jon Dever. Dever is assisted by Brenda Elliott, Heather Anders, Jacob Guess, Erin Mishoe, interim advisor Jeff Robinson, administrative assistant Lisa Patrick and part-time advisors Tom Buttram and Fern Hampton. Assistant Athletics Director-Life Skills Director Karin Lee rounds out the CASS staff. Joining this group are seven graduate assistants and 55 part-time tutors who work in the CASS building adjacent to Bryant Hall. The facility includes study rooms, a lecture room and two computer labs. Laptop computers are also available for check-out. From the moment a recruit first walks on to the campus to the moment an athlete graduates with diploma in hand, the academic services provided are outstanding. For the first year at the Capstone, freshman and junior college transfers are required to attend nightly study halls. After that, the attendance is based on the individual's GPA and study needs. The CASS staff works as a liaison between the Athletic Department, undergraduate divisions, and administrative office of the university. The staff offers career advice and counseling, makes sure all athletes are maintaining satisfactory progress toward their degrees, and monitors academic eligibility. The Academic Coordinator supervises tutorial services, schedule study sessions, and coordinate all other aspects of CASS’s academic enrichment program. All of these services begin with the recruit's first visit. The advisors set up individual appointments within the department of the recruit's area of study and accompany them to the meeting. They give the recruit a tour of the campus and go over services provided by CASS. The dedicated CASS staff can only give guidance and direction. Achievement is left in the hands of the student-athlete. If the athlete wishes to succeed in the classroom as they do in competition, then Alabama's CASS will provide them with every opportunity to achieve the highest goals. CASS moved into a new state of the art multi-million dollar academic facility in 2004.
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