NSU men’s and women’s swim teams were recognized for their academic achievements by qualifying for the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-American teams for the Fall 2024 semester. The women’s swimming team was recognized for its 3.59 GPA, while the men’s swimming team held a 3.47 GPA.
“I’ve been so proud to see them outperform each and every year. It seems like they’re consistently making progress as a team which takes a lot of work,” said Ben Hewitt, head swimming coach.
For Ilaria Murzilli, a senior member of the women’s swimming team, this recognition represents a significant achievement for the team.
“I’m very proud of being part of this team because we are keeping strong in swimming and in academics and that’s not easy. Not all the teams do it,” Murzilli said.
The dedication of the swimmers was displayed during the Sunshine State Conference Championship from Feb 12-16, where Hewitt witnessed their commitment to academics.
“We had kids writing papers on coach buses in cramped up seats trying to get their stuff done and so I think that speaks to their commitment level,” Hewitt said.
Their motivation to excel academically stems from a mutual understanding, as Murzilli emphasizes that their identity as students precedes their role as athletes.
“I think we all know what our goal is. We all know that, yes, we need to focus a lot on sports, on our swimming, but alsowe know that we are student athletes. We are students first,” Murzilli said.
Hewitt helps his team balance its demanding schedules and set them up for success by necessitating effective communication and planning. He explains how he values team feedback by making sure everyone is on the same page, considering each week looks different. If he addresses concerns early on, Hewitt is able to work with their schedules to find what works best for them.
“It’s early communication about the demands of what they’re going to be going through between swimming and class time. Coming up with an alternative practice schedule and just kind of asking the athlete, is this going to work?” Hewitt said.
Beyond Hewitt’s direct leadership and guidance, the NSU Athletics academic team, led by Rachel Fineberg, associate athletic director for Student-Athlete Support Services and senior woman administrator and Title IX Coordinator; and Deanna Rivero, Ed. D., Athletic Academic Services manager, plays a vital role in the team’s success.
“We’re not anywhere close to where we would hope to be if it wasn’t for them [Fineberg & Rivero], they unburden the coaches. The kids see them as a resource, not as someone that they have to go to because they’re not doing well,” Hewitt said.
One resource in particular that the Athletics academic team facilitates is study hall. All NSU student-athletes (incoming freshman, college transfers, and current NSU student-athletes) are subject to mandatory study hall. Student-athletes are placed in study hall based on specific academic criteria.
Inigo Marina, a senior member of the men’s swimming team, attests to how study hall helped him in his academic success and what strategies he uses to remain successful.
“Study hours used to help me, I’m not doing them now but I used to study a lot. I try to keep everything on time, all my assignments and everything while I’m still training a lot. It’s kind of hard sometimes, and I try to keep a well-structured sleeping schedule,” Marina said.
Marina’s disciplined approach mirrors the hard work found throughout the team, but it’s ultimately a collective commitment that fuels the swim team’s sustained success.
“I’m just humbled by their continued success and I look forward to another great semester of academic growth and performance,” Hewitt said.
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