As one of the country’s premier Division III athletic programs, Ithaca College consistently racks up awards for its teams’ on-field performance. But even more important than additions to the Hill Center trophy case are the classroom achievements of Ithaca’s athletes.

Anyone with doubts about how smart our warriors in Blue and Gold are can do what any sports fan does when seeking an athletes’ validity — look to the stats. Last year, the college had 136 individual athletes make the Empire 8 Presidents’ List. The minimum grade-point averyage to qualify — a 3.75. Since the Empire 8 has instituted the Presidents’ List, the college has had the most athletes recognized every semester but one.

Since July, both tennis teams, volleyball, gymnastics, women’s swimming and diving, and both track and field teams were given recognition for their schoolwork, with many individual athletes being named to academic all-American and similar organizations.

So what sets Ithaca apart? How can our athletes rack up Empire 8 championships, NCAA playoff victories and then hit the books and score points for their GPAs?

Well, it comes down to the same reason they perform so well in their sports — attitude.

“You’re here to get your degree, not athletic achievements or to get signed to a pro football team,” said Andrew Brown, senior pole vaulter and U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team member.

As one of the best pole vaulters the track and field team has ever seen, it can be difficult for Brown to be the premier vaulter in Division III and one of the premier students in Ithaca’s rigorous physical therapy program.

“It takes a lot of time and a lot of dedication,” Brown said. “For schoolwork — some people may not think this is a big thing — but I make sure I go to all my classes, and I try not to skip.”

Another positive for athletes performing well in their classes is that it translates onto the field. After getting handed an A on a test or paper, it’s safe to assume that runners will push themselves to shave a few seconds off their time or a tennis player will have the confidence to make a tough backhand down the line to seal a win.

“Over the years, I’ve noticed academic performance being better during the season than it is during the offseason,” Ken Kutler, director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports, said. “When the pressure’s off there’s more of a chance to be less organized.”

So when games get started this week, expect to see your athlete classmates racking up the A’s. Because just like on the field, in the classroom, attitude is everything.