Grinding on the mountain and in the classroom

Brandon Rainbolt is a very successful student-athlete at the University of Oklahoma. However, you will most likely not hear about his achievements at the next big game, or read about him in the local paper. Rainbolt is a semi-professional snowboarder. This requires him to miss class very often which can be difficult to arrange with professors and the university, because this is not an NCAA sanctioned sport.

There are over 430,000 students-athletes in this country that participate in an NCAA sanctioned sport according to NCAA.org. The University of Oklahoma department alone sponsors 21 varsity sports consisting more than 600 student-athletes according to soonersports.com.

These athletes, like Rainbolt not only have to work in the classroom but also have relentless schedules associated with their sport. Varsity sports are provost approved university sponsored activities; therefore athletes are given an automatic excused absence for competition.

“The current provost, Dr. Nancy Mergler generally approves absences by varsity athletes for varsity competition which is restrictive, with the expectation that the faculty will be as kind to help everybody out as much as they can,” said Associate Provost Gregory Heist.

This means that other athletes including cheer, pom and even band members are not guaranteed an excused absence and have to get approved by their professors about missing class due to events.

In addition to an excused absence, athletes are also offered personal tutors in all subjects to help assist them in classes they may be struggling in due to these athletic events. This system has proven successful according to Brooke Clevenger, tutorial coordinator with athletic academic services, as overall student-athlete GPA has increased above a 3.0.

 Rainbolt works extensively with his teachers to mediate when assignments are due and how he can make up tests if needed, as he often misses a week of class at a time.

“I’m either all out practicing for snowboarding or I’m all out studying. I’m in my room studying consistently to try to keep up for a class and not fall behind,” he said.

 Though he struggled with managing both activities, he is now learning to become successful at both. He also receives a plethora of support from friends and fraternity brothers.

“He has a big group that supports him and we will all help him in any way we can,” said Ian Hammond, Rainbolt’s pledge brother.

Brandon’s successes at upcoming competitions will be the deciding factor on his decision to turn pro and take some time off from school. He would not be the first snowboarder to do that as Kimmi Fasani did the same in 2009.

As her travel and competition schedule increased she turned to taking online classes, ultimately earning a degree in marketing. She explained her decision in a University of Phoenix press release.

“With my travel demands and time on the road, achieving my bachelor’s online was the only certainty for completing my degree,” she said.

History professor Brandi Hilton-Hagemann did offer Brandon some advice if he does choose to remain a snowboarder and a student.

 “He must make it very clear from the beginning of class what his situation and how he hopes to mediate these circumstances,” she said.

For more questions about the university attendance policy please call the Office of the Provost (405) 325-3221.