Colorado University Athletics
Colorado Athletics Releases RAPID Report
March 08, 2021 | General, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — No doubt, life changed dramatically when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
But life did not stop for University of Colorado Athletics. Throughout the unprecedented obstacles and roadblocks presented by pandemic effects, CU Athletics officials have never wavered from their core values, vision and mission — always with the health and well-being of Buffaloes student-athletes at the forefront.
That commitment is why CU Athletics has continued to experience success in competition and in the classroom, as well as manage financial difficulties despite constraints inflicted by pandemic restrictions.
Colorado's approach can be explored in detail in the recently released RAPID Report, an annual review published to provide a detailed picture of CU Athletics. Prepared by CU Athletics special projects assistant Brandon Lee, the report furnishes a department financial snapshot, academic and athletic achievements and successes, and a comprehensive look at CU's WHOLE Student-Athlete Program. For clarification, the data within this report is strictly from the 2019-2020 FY.
Instituted last year, the WHOLE Program — Wellness Health Optimal Life Experience — embodies Colorado's commitment to be recognized as a premier athletics department by providing a world-class and holistic student-athlete experience. It means operating in a fiscally responsible manner and competing for and winning championships while developing and challenging student-athletes, coaches and staff to succeed in a culture of excellence.
It is more than graduation rates. While those rates are no doubt an important piece of the puzzle, they are just a piece of the overall experience athletic departments should provide — and CU has embraced the bigger picture.
Colorado Athletic Director Rick George last fall wrote about athletic departments' responsibilities.
"If the end goal is to do what is absolutely best for the student-athlete in every given situation, then we should strive to optimize our resources accordingly to maximize the positive effect on the WHOLE student-athlete," he said. "At the University of Colorado, WHOLE stands for Wellness Health Optimal Life Experience. It means that from the moment a student steps foot in Boulder, they are given every conceivable resource and tool necessary to make the most of their time there. Participating in intercollegiate athletics further opens up unique opportunities for our students, including programming specifically focused on academic success, physical and mental health, as well as professional and career development."
The latest RAPID Report details how Colorado is approaching that commitment — and how it is a process that requires help from all of CU's constituents.
Highlights in the report include academic successes and athletic excellence, ranging from a best-ever cumulative grade point average for all CU student-athletes to a long list of national and conference honors for Buffs individuals.
Also included is a financial snapshot — where and how CU programs are funded — as well as a detailed look at exactly what goes into a scholarship for a student-athlete.
Other highlights include a look at the creation of CUnited, a task force formed to fight for racial justice and social change; an update from the CU Buff Club and its continued efforts to help secure funding for all of Colorado's programs and scholarships; a detailed look at the WHOLE Student-Athlete Program; a timeline snapshot of the last decade of CU Athletics; and a breakdown of Covid-19 impacts on the department.
It is a must-read for CU donors, fans and alumni.
"We started publishing the RAPID Report several years ago as a way to connect with our constituency and provide a comprehensive annual update," George said. "While it has always been well-received, we believe this year's report will be especially informative and helpful, given the circumstances of the last year. While the pandemic no doubt created unprecedented obstacles, we think this will help show our donors and alumni that our commitment to the WHOLE student-athlete remains unwavering. We want everyone to know that when they invest in CU Athletics, they are helping these young people not only achieve their best in a competitive environment, but also be productive members of society long after they have earned their degrees from CU."
But life did not stop for University of Colorado Athletics. Throughout the unprecedented obstacles and roadblocks presented by pandemic effects, CU Athletics officials have never wavered from their core values, vision and mission — always with the health and well-being of Buffaloes student-athletes at the forefront.
That commitment is why CU Athletics has continued to experience success in competition and in the classroom, as well as manage financial difficulties despite constraints inflicted by pandemic restrictions.
Colorado's approach can be explored in detail in the recently released RAPID Report, an annual review published to provide a detailed picture of CU Athletics. Prepared by CU Athletics special projects assistant Brandon Lee, the report furnishes a department financial snapshot, academic and athletic achievements and successes, and a comprehensive look at CU's WHOLE Student-Athlete Program. For clarification, the data within this report is strictly from the 2019-2020 FY.
Instituted last year, the WHOLE Program — Wellness Health Optimal Life Experience — embodies Colorado's commitment to be recognized as a premier athletics department by providing a world-class and holistic student-athlete experience. It means operating in a fiscally responsible manner and competing for and winning championships while developing and challenging student-athletes, coaches and staff to succeed in a culture of excellence.
It is more than graduation rates. While those rates are no doubt an important piece of the puzzle, they are just a piece of the overall experience athletic departments should provide — and CU has embraced the bigger picture.
Colorado Athletic Director Rick George last fall wrote about athletic departments' responsibilities.
"If the end goal is to do what is absolutely best for the student-athlete in every given situation, then we should strive to optimize our resources accordingly to maximize the positive effect on the WHOLE student-athlete," he said. "At the University of Colorado, WHOLE stands for Wellness Health Optimal Life Experience. It means that from the moment a student steps foot in Boulder, they are given every conceivable resource and tool necessary to make the most of their time there. Participating in intercollegiate athletics further opens up unique opportunities for our students, including programming specifically focused on academic success, physical and mental health, as well as professional and career development."
The latest RAPID Report details how Colorado is approaching that commitment — and how it is a process that requires help from all of CU's constituents.
Highlights in the report include academic successes and athletic excellence, ranging from a best-ever cumulative grade point average for all CU student-athletes to a long list of national and conference honors for Buffs individuals.
Also included is a financial snapshot — where and how CU programs are funded — as well as a detailed look at exactly what goes into a scholarship for a student-athlete.
Other highlights include a look at the creation of CUnited, a task force formed to fight for racial justice and social change; an update from the CU Buff Club and its continued efforts to help secure funding for all of Colorado's programs and scholarships; a detailed look at the WHOLE Student-Athlete Program; a timeline snapshot of the last decade of CU Athletics; and a breakdown of Covid-19 impacts on the department.
It is a must-read for CU donors, fans and alumni.
"We started publishing the RAPID Report several years ago as a way to connect with our constituency and provide a comprehensive annual update," George said. "While it has always been well-received, we believe this year's report will be especially informative and helpful, given the circumstances of the last year. While the pandemic no doubt created unprecedented obstacles, we think this will help show our donors and alumni that our commitment to the WHOLE student-athlete remains unwavering. We want everyone to know that when they invest in CU Athletics, they are helping these young people not only achieve their best in a competitive environment, but also be productive members of society long after they have earned their degrees from CU."
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