SUCCESS STORIES

In the News

Bulldogs football is building a program around Academic Achievement. Read more (August 30, 2005).

Learn why football coach Pat Hill is smiling! The Fresno State Football Program has grown academically from ranking on the bottom to one of the highest academic rankings in the nation, through use of the Academic Gameplan.

Gotta do it by the book: Academic Gameplan keeps Fresno State football players on course in class. (Fresno Bee, May 8, 2005).

Some Stories

"Prior to our arrival at Fresno State, the football team had a GPA of 1.95 and a cumulative GPA of 2.21. There were 21 players who had a semester GPA below 2.0 and only 8 players who had a semester GPA above a 3.0. There were also 21 senior players who were disqualified. Since our arrival in 1997, and the implementation of John Baxter's Academic Gameplan, our team cumulative GPA has risen to 2.67. Since Academic Gameplan, we have averaged over 34 players with semester GPA's over 3.0 and another 21 players who have attained personal academic records. Academic Gameplan is engineering one of the greatest worst-to-first graduation-rate turnarounds in NCAA history. Every one of our seniors is on track to graduate." . . . Pat Hill, Head Football Coach, Fresno State

AGP is fun! I recommend AGP to all of my families who have children with exceptionalities that are interested in supporting their student’s success – at that individual’s level. I find it particularly helpful with students that have challenges associated with ADD and ADHD as well as TBI (traumatic brain injuries) or other memory difficulties.  AGP provides both short and long term memory strategies that are easy, efficient AND effective. (Did I mention it’s FUN?) AGP is a godsend on many, many levels. FIRST: any teacher or parent will tell you that EVERY special needs student wants to be treated like everyone else – they would rather fail than be singled out as needing special assistance. Once my students see that COLLEGE ATHLETES are using the AGP they are really excited to give it a try. SECOND: Parents are able to be a part of their student’s success – either directly or indirectly – because Coach says monitoring progress is “ok” – Coach Baxter does it with the COLLEGE ATHLETES! THIRD: Coach’s techniques resonate with the highest achievers who seem to get A’s without ever cracking a book to the students who never seem to be able to get above a C, no matter how long or hard they study. EVERY student who commits to learning how to use the tools, follows the steps and implements the strategies will succeed at whatever level they are capable of achieving. It supports every student in reaching their individual maximum potential. They’re not compared to anyone else and they can’t fail - unless they don’t try. Right, Coach?
 
Julie Vogt
Physical and Health Impairments
Special EducationTeacher

"Academic Gameplan not only provided me with the tools to succeed in school, but the skills to succeed in business and life. It is the equivalent of going into the game of life with the playbook on how to win. I wish I would have been exposed to the system at the beginning of my formal education instead of towards the end." . . . Warren Fortier, Masters in Business Administration from Fresno State

"He armed us with materials to go out into the classroom and he gave us different learning methods. He just really prepared us." . . . Cory Hall, Professional Football Player

"The Academic Gameplan is the best thing I've done for my football program in 27 years." . . . Pat Plummer, Head Coach, Hoover High School

“My grade point average has gone up as well as my confidence and ability to do the work.  For that I am most thankful.” . . . Nicole, High School Student

“It has organized not only my school work but my life.  My grades are higher and my day is well planned.  It has motivated me to do my very best in life.” . . . Tracy, Student

“My son’s attitude towards school has changed, almost 180 degrees.  He is trying very hard to get more organized and he absolutely loves the AG binder!  There is very little, to zero, fighting at home over homework because I think he finally understands that I DO CARE ABOUT HIS GRADES!  I believe he’s always known we’ve cared, but taking him to a seminar and investing in a program is speaking volumes to him.” . . . Deene Souza, Academic Gameplan Parent