For the remainder of the summer the Humboldt State athletic department will countdown its Top 10 of 2014. The Top 10 will feature outstanding accomplishments, memorable moments and historic events during the 2013-14 Lumberjack athletic season.

The new Thunderboldts Learning Academy completed a successful first year providing academic support to Humboldt State student-athletes. Below is a feature written about the Academy and Academic Coordinator Chris DeHart.

Imagining a study hall might invoke a scene from the 80s classic "The Breakfast Club" – students seated in a small room, ordered to quietly study or else.
 
Study halls across the country still have a similar setup, but recently, like a flash – a lightning strike - Humboldt State's student-athlete support model changed.
 
Student-Athlete Academic Coordinator Chris DeHart leads a group of talented student leaders in the Thunderboldts Learning Academy, a new effort started at the beginning of the 2013-14 academic year to promote student-athlete success in the classroom. The academy changed the classic study hall model to a learning academy, which promotes mentoring, studying and academic development.
 
"There is a fundamental and cultural shift occurring," said DeHart. "Kids in study halls would be stuffed into these lecture halls. They are tired, hungry and may not have work to do. And if they have work to do, may not have the resources necessary to finish that work."
 
During the University's centennial celebration, DeHart discovered that Humboldt State College's mascot was the Thunderbolts until 1936. DeHart decided this image captured the essence of the new academic support program aimed at helping student-athletes with the greatest academic need: balancing the difficult load of athletic competition and classwork. He added the Humboldt "d" to the Thunderbolt mascot and envisioned the members of his group as athletic and smart.
 
The Academy's student-athletes devote a minimum of four hours per week in the library where they research, study, write and participate with study teams. To be eligible for the Thunderboldts you must be one of the following: a first semester student, a student who came to HSU by exception or any student-athlete below a 2.5 overall GPA. For in-depth assistance, the Writing Lab, the Math Tutoring Center, and the Science Tutoring Center are available. For those that may be struggling in specific courses, group and individual tutoring is offered. Study skills such as time management, test taking, reading for comprehension, and problem solving are developed. 
 
"All the library's resources are at their disposal," said DeHart. "In the library it's a supportive environment. They can come and go. The difference is they are now in a rich environment of support."
 
The effectiveness of the Thunderboldts Learning Academy will be revealed with the final posting of semester grades, but attendance and student-athlete satisfaction with the program has been off the charts. For example, the crew team attends at 131% of their hours, and the football team is at 110%. Moreover, a recent student-athlete satisfaction survey indicated that 96% of the 'Boldts believe that the academy is a productive investment of their time.
 
DeHart attributes the success of the program to not only the student-athletes hard at work, but also his two student coordinators and the library staff.
 
"Tommy Williams and Karen Kniel had worked with these students in the study hall environment," said DeHart. "They were there on the front lines, and they had to change to Thunderboldts model."
 
The Academy has drawn positive reviews from student-athletes and administrators. Campus administrators are looking to duplicate the Academy's success with first-year or at-risk student-athletes with similar programs designed to aid first-year HSU students.
 
Changes are expected for next year's Thunderboldts Learning Academy, but Athletic Director Dan Collen sees the impact of the 2013-14 program.
 
"Initially it was study halls, but was completely revamped when Chris (DeHart) joined our staff," said Collen. "I couldn't be more pleased and happy with the direction of the Thunderboldts Learning Academy. It provides a great resource for our student-athletes."

HSU Top 10 of 2014
10. Social Media Changes the Way HSU Athletics Interacts with Fans
9. Wilcox Named CCAA Newcomer of the Year, Breaks HSU Free Throw Record
8. Howard Leads CCAA in Scoring, Named First Team All-CCAA After Three-Year Absence
7. Thunderboldts Academy Provides Improved Academic Support for Student-Athletes