UTSA's Kurt Atttaway Enjoys Success On and Off The Court
by Rick Nixon
Kurt Attaway has seen his name in lights. Basketball in hand, he dribbled his way onto center stage before 15,000 fans and a national television audience.
But there are no screaming fans in the library. No cheerleaders. No pep band. Not even Rowdy, the Roadrunners’ mascot.
Too often, the “student” half of “student-athlete” is an afterthought. Yet with students competing in 16 sports in the 11-member Southland Conference (SLC), UTSA has arguably reached dynasty status this past year—in the classroom. A record number of student-athletes have found a way to balance athletics and academics, defying stereotypical expectations of their roles on a college campus. During the 2004–2005 academic year, Attaway was one of seven UTSA student-athletes earning Southland Conference (SLC) Student-Athlete of the Year honors in eight sports.
“It’s an incredible honor for eight of our teams to have student-athletes who receive the honor of being named the best individual in their respective sport who combines athletics and academics,” says UTSA Athletic Director Lynn Hickey. “We usually feel fortunate to have one or two in a given year, but to have eight is off the chart.”
The awards, presented annually to the top student-athlete in each conference-sponsored sport, are voted on by the head coaches, sports information directors and academic/compliance administrators from each SLC school. The award winner must have earned at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average to meet the minimum academic requirement. Athletic standards include superior achievement, having brought significant recognition to the institution and having competed in at least two seasons. The final component of the award is the service requirement, for which the award winner must have demonstrated significant contribution to the campus or community through service.
Attaway, a junior point guard from Flower Mound, Texas, helped lead the Roadrunners to the 2004 NCAA Tournament as the SLC Freshman of the Year. He says the light illuminating the importance of education came on for him in kindergarten.
“Blending athletics with academics is a struggle, but it comes down to dedication,” says Attaway, a psychology major who has posted a perfect 4.0 GPA in his first two collegiate years.
“I truly believe both are equally important so I dedicate most of my week to both,” Attaway continued. “I think the biggest reason I have successfully blended the two is sacrifice. Staying at home and studying when your friends go out during the week has allowed me to stay ahead in the classroom and on the court. Academics are very important to me.”
On the court he is one of six returning lettermen for UTSA and is being counted upon heavily to be a team leader for the Roadrunners this season after missing nine games with injuries last year.
"It was just something that happened," Attaway said. "You have to roll with it and deal with it. It was one of those things that kind of lingered throughout the season. I was fortunate to be on a team that had a lot of upper classmen and there wasn't a lot of responsibility on my shoulders. There should be more this season and am looking forward to building good guard play along with Andre Owens and a lot of new faces."
In two seasons Attaway has dished out 160 assists in his first two collegiate seasons and is excited about the season ahead.
"You really want to, that's why you play the game," Attaway said. "What I went through last year made me realize that you have to enjoy the opportunities that you have. Mentally that made me better so that I can go out there and relax and just be myself. You play better when you let the game come to you and not force things."
Always one of the hardest workers on the team, Attaway knew this past offseason was essential in bettering his talents.
"I really wanted to dedicate this summer to getting into the gym," Attaway said. "A lot of it was spent getting extra shots up and developing more confidence in my jump shot. We really had a good turnout this summer by our team. We have developed a unity which is so important to building a team. We put ourselves in a position to be in excellent shape and that allows our skills to show up over this next six-month stretch."
Attaway feels the 2005-06 Roadrunners have a chance to compete for another SLC championship.
"We are more athletic than we have been in the past," said Attaway of UTSA which will feature eight newcomers on the roster. "A lot of people look at inexperience as a bad thing, but I think all of the new faces will help keep us sharp."
Whether it's on the court or in the classroom, Attaway knows the future is bright
"I am trying to keep my options open," said Attaway of the road ahead. "I am definitely interested in the coaching aspect of sports psychology and what that brings. The impact that coaches have on players is something I may use down the road. I am trying to leave myself as many avenues as possible because I am not sure what the future might bring."