By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
When Chris Petersen arrived at Washington, he made it clear his players would be as committed in the classroom as they were on the field.
“It has really always been our belief as coaches that our most squared away students are going to be our best players,” Washington's football coach said. “If you have a bunch of 3.0 students, you should eventually have a bunch of good, solid players.”
Petersen is creating a culture where “it is very cool to be smart.” To facilitate that idea, the Huskies make a point to celebrate success in the classroom. From the 3.0 board mounted in football offices, to the team meeting each quarter that points out and praises each student who earned a spot on that list, academic achievement is built into the fabric of this program.
“You shouldn't come here if you're not serious as a heart attack about academics,” Petersen said. “This is an elite institution and it's not for everybody. It's only for the guys who are going to be serious about academics. That's the message our team is really starting to embrace.”
It is one thing to set expectations, but the true measure of success comes at every quarter when grades are submitted. During fall quarter, the Huskies earned a 3.0 as a program for the first time in school history. After spring, Washington has now hit the mark twice over three quarters.
“The students have put in the work,” said Kiaira Ladd, Washington's director of football academics. “They bought into the mentality coach Pete is trying to instill. The coaches have been absolutely amazing in terms of their support. It's a total team effort. Between the coaches, the students and our staff, we've gotten to the point where we really know how to work together.”
The Huskies finished the spring with a 3.08 team G.P.A. They had 60 players finish with a 3.0 or better. The board continues to grow.
With more players hitting the mark, there is pressure on those still working toward a 3.0 to elevate their performance in the classroom.
NFL rookies Danny Shelton, Hau'oli Kikaha and Shaq Thompson helped set a standard last season. The example they provided spread throughout the team.
“When younger players see your most productive players are your most productive students, that's powerful,” Petersen said. “The young guys go, 'Oh, that's important to them, that must be important to me.'”
When asked how the Huskies were able to become consistent in the classroom so quickly, Ladd praised Petersen.
“It's coach Pete,” she said. “He has a system. He knows how he wants things done.”
Each time grades are released, new players ask Ladd for help getting on the 3.0 board. A plan is then put in place to make it happen. At the end of the following quarter, if a player reaches that goal, they get to celebrate their achievement with teammates, coaches and the Student-Athlete Academic Services staff.
“That's motivation in itself,” Ladd said.
Petersen's best teams have been those that were his “most squared away” in the classroom. As he builds his program at Washington, the Huskies have embraced his academic expectations.
It is now cool to be smart.
“It takes everybody to make this thing work,” Ladd said. “Everyone has really done their part. It's just been a great ride to be on. I'm just excited about the future.”
