About the Student Athlete Support Services Office (SASSO)
History of the Student Athletes Support Services Office (SASSO)
The Ohio State University has maintained an academic support system for student-athletes since 1967. Originally, an assistant coach from each team monitored student-athletes’ academic progress. Eventually, Ohio State became one of the first institutions to hire a full time Athletic Counselor to monitor the academic progress and eligibility status of student athletes (primarily football). As the importance of the position was noticed, the “Brain Coaches” continued their academic support by monitoring study table, providing tutorial support, checking class attendance, and reporting student-athlete grades to their respective coaches.
In the early 1980s, the staff size was two full-time and two graduate assistant staff members: two full-time and one graduate assistant for the men’s teams, and one graduate assistant for the women’s teams. With the disbanding of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) and the infusion of women’s programs into the NCAA, the graduate assistant position for the women’s teams was elevated to a full-time role. The staff size expanded, and responsibilities widened in scope, leading to the Student Athlete Support Services Office was officially named in 1994.
That same year (1994) brought the design and implementation of the “Majority of One Program”, a support program for minority student-athletes developed by James Hall, Athletic Counselor. Three athletic counselor positions were added to reduce the counselor-to-student-athlete ratio and to provide expanded programs and services. Programming expanded further with the addition of academic courses for students.
Today, each sports team has a designated SASSO staff member to ensure continuous success and progress towards degree attainment. SASSO also employs 10 Learning Specialists to provide targeted academic skill building lessons and in-depth progress monitoring. SASSO conducts a dynamic year-long Cohort program to extend the impact of SASSO on Buckeye student athletes while fostering new talent within the profession.
As part of the Ohio State experience, student athletes have access to tutorial services. SASSO operates an expansive tutoring program and employs a plethora of individuals to work as tutors and study table proctors. This program creates one-on-one learning opportunities for student athletes with a professional tutor to further develop academic skills and course content knowledge. The success of SASSO is shown through the high number of scholar athletes, which surpassed over 800 in 2023, up from 788 in April 2022.
Citations:
“About US – Sasso History – Ohio State Buckeyes.” Ohio State Buckeyes, Ohio State Athletics, 8 Apr. 2008.
Lazarus, Franny. “Ohio State Provides Academic, Athletic and Professional Support Services to Student-Athletes.” Ohio State News, The Ohio State University, 17 May 2022.
SASSO Mission
The Student Athlete Support Services Office aspires to be the best athletic academic support program in the country. We aim to do this by providing comprehensive academic support services designed to meet the needs of the student-athlete population while promoting a comprehensive approach to education.
SASSO Strategic Vision
SASSO supports the university and reinforces the Department of Athletics’ mission by providing programs and services that promote degree attainment and comprehensive personal development. As one of the nation’s first universities to provide specialized support to student-athletes, SASSO will continue to be innovative in providing services that meet the educational, personal, and professional needs of student-athletes, all while remaining compliant with NCAA, Big Ten, and Ohio State regulations and standards. SASSO helps Ohio State student-athletes cultivate independence, define their educational and personal values, and develop leadership skills so they may reach their full potential while maintaining personal and academic integrity.
SASSO Office Locations & Staff Directory
350 Younkin Success Center
1640 Neil Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: 614-292-7088
Younkin Success Center Hours:
SASSO Business Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
Tutoring & Study Table Hours:
- Monday-Thursday 8am-10pm
- Friday 8am-5pm
- Saturday: CLOSED
- Sunday 2pm-10pm
E145 Fawcett Center
2400 Olentangy River Rd.
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: 614-292-4718
Fawcett Center Hours:
SASSO Business Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
Tutoring & Study Table Hours:
- Monday-Thursday 8am-9pm
- Friday 8am-5pm
