"How you do one thing is how you do everything," says Head Coach Nikolas Colpitts, a philosophy underlying a culture focused on character and hard work. "We expect excellence in the classroom as much as on the field," he says.
That standard comes with structure behind it. With classes back in session next week, Colpitts and his staff will continue their tradition of meeting with freshman players every two weeks just to talk academics and check in on how they're managing their course load, the same level of attention every player can count on throughout their time on the team. The goal, he says, is simple: build a real relationship with each player and stay ahead of anything that might come up.
For Dylan Behnke '28, that standard and structure showed up early. "Coach Colpitts makes sure that we all know to prioritize our studies like we prioritize being an athlete," he says. Newcomers complete mandatory study hall hours, and the team holds monthly academic meetings to keep everyone accountable. "It is expected for every single person to be going to class and completing their schoolwork," he says.
The university's academic success staff plays a role too. Colpitts credits Athletic Academic Advisor Justin Mason with helping keep the team on track and the staff informed. "His consistency and genuine care for each of our student-athletes make our team's academic performance that much better," shared Colpitts.
Resources that turn "excellence in the classroom" from a phrase into a habit don't appear on their own. It takes investments in our athletic programs and students to provide the tools, advisors, and support that make success possible.
Get Involved This Year
This kind of support doesn't happen without a community behind it. Royal Ralliers, our new way for fans, families, and alumni to show up for the Royals jersey, launches this fall: cheer from the stands, share a post, or start a conversation with a fellow fan. Learn more and sign up today.
We also invite you to mark your calendars for October 2-9, when the Queens Athletics community joins together in support of our student-athletes for Investing In Champions, the annual week of giving. Early giving starts now, and your support unlocks benefit tiers and Royals Club membership. If you're interested in building momentum and increasing the impact of your gift, reach out to us at athletics@queens.edu to set up a giving challenge.
