S.T.A.R. Program | DONS Pillars
The University of San Francisco provides a world class environment in which curious learners and passionate workers can grow as servant leaders.
Our student-athletes understand that in order to consistently perform at an elite level academically, they need to take full advantage of the resources available to them.
Liam Quinn (Academic Success Coach – Center for Academic Success and Achievement),
Ashley Morello (Director of Academic Support for Student Athletes) and
Matt Hiserman (Pitching Coach and Academic Liaison) are the rock-solid foundation of our success, and must be acknowledged for their efforts. They have created a platform which promotes accountability, communication and high-level academic execution.
From that platform, Coach
Craig Gianinno's passion for individual and team development took it to another level. This fall, through his guidance, the team took our existing cultural pillars (D.O.N.S.) and created a mantra unique to this year's team.
Coach Gianinno on the creation of S.T.A.R.:
"One of the outcomes as we began this fall has been to empower leadership, ownership and service through behaviors and actions that make up the cultural identity of the 2019 Dons. The player character and development work we did this fall has been a vehicle in which our team has identified their 'why' individually and collectively. The meetings have provided the opportunity for our team to challenge barriers, get to authentically move closer to knowing and understanding each other, increase connectivity and relationships vertically and horizontally. Moving the mind in the classroom has the ability to move the body with confidence. Early on, they set out to identify their value system and identity as it connects to the program mission, the four pillars (D.O.N.S.). The team has identified and developed an action-based value system, S.T.A.R., which defines their mission, which is driven with purpose and direction. The academic achievement is a testament to this group's leadership and inclusivity which continues to develop and grow. I am proud of this team's academic success and desire to elevate and inspire each other as they chase greatness and leave their legacy. I look forward to what the future will bring. #ProtectSF"
S.T.A.R. = Selfless, Trust, Accountable, Relentless. Their ability to create a process like this, in which every member had a hand in its creation, and applied it to the smallest of details, is the engine behind our fall GPA of 3.38. Other than a slight dip in 2017, the trend has been upward and we expect it to continue in the years to come.
Read more about the USF baseball S.T.A.R. program by
CLICKING HERE.
4-YEAR USF BASEBALL ACADEMIC SNAP SHOT
| YEAR |
TEAM GPA |
OVER 3.5 |
OVER 3.0 |
| 2015 |
3.19 |
11 |
25 |
| 2016 |
3.28 |
17 |
27 |
| 2017 |
3.21 |
12 |
27 |
| 2018 |
3.38 |
15 |
29 |
One of our greatest accomplishments since we began writing this chapter on the Hilltop in 1998, is that we are closing in on graduating 200 student athletes. Although we are both proud and humbled, we are far from being satisfied with our process and will continue to sharpen it. As for our graduates, they have taken the tools which they have acquired and sharpened and will continue to change the world from here. I simply could not be more proud of all of you. May 2019 be your sharpest yet. GO DONS!
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