Western Illinois University Athletics faced a common challenge for smaller universities: supporting nearly 400 student-athletes academically and athletically with limited staff. The academic side of the equation was especially demanding, with just one full-time professional dedicated to helping student-athletes succeed in the classroom, supported by a few graduate assistants. Responsibilities like tracking academic progress, managing communication, and providing personalized support became inefficient. Adding to the difficulty, the department relied on shared spreadsheets and disconnected systems, slowing down operations and limiting meaningful engagement with student-athletes. It was clear a streamlined solution was needed to ease the workload and ensure every student-athlete received the support they needed to succeed.

WIU implemented Teamworks Academics and achieved transformative results in ONE SEMESTER. The platform streamlined communication and centralized reporting, enabling staff, student-athletes, coaches, and administrators to collaborate more effectively. By reducing inefficiencies and providing real-time data, Teamworks Academics enabled their small staff to focus on what mattered most—supporting student-athletes in reaching their academic and athletic goals. 

“Teamworks Academics empowered our athletes to take ownership of their education while allowing us to provide a more holistic and efficient academic support system,” shared Jeremy Robinett, Ph.D., WIU’s NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative.

In WIU’s first semester with Academics, the platform was fully integrated into their academic support framework, delivering impressive outcomes:

• Streamlined Operations: Over 2,700 academic appointments and 8,000 study hall check-ins were seamlessly tracked through automated reminders and centralized data.
• High Engagement: Nearly every student-athlete (except for four) checked in to study tables, showcasing strong adoption of the platform.
• Improved Academic Outcomes:
  • 71% of student-athletes earned a GPA above 3.0.
  • At-risk students saw significant GPA improvements, affirming the success of targeted interventions.
• Enhanced Efficiency: Staff saved hours by reducing redundant emails and meetings. Coaches accessed real-time data to address issues proactively, and resources such as hiring tutors for specific classes, were allocated more strategically.

For WIU, Teamworks Academics was a game-changer. The academic support team utilized the platform’s progress reports throughout the semester to pinpoint which classes needed tutors, ensuring resources were allocated strategically. Coaches also benefited from real-time access to academic reports, enabling them to address potential issues early and better support their athletes. These features not only solved immediate challenges but also fostered greater collaboration across the department.

Robinett explained it best:

“Academics allows for far better use of time and resources. It’s an efficient product that facilitates communication across a group of people, cutting down on emails, phone calls, and unnecessary meetings. This enables us to spend more time with the student-athletes, where it truly matters.” 

WIU’s experience demonstrates how institutions with limited resources can harness innovative technology to improve outcomes for both staff and student-athletes. If your team is facing similar challenges, consider how Teamworks Academics can transform your department’s operations. Schedule a demo today to discover its potential.