Difference Makers Study Hall 101
This is the critical time where Difference Makers participant’s
schools evaluate their program goals and objectives, and
decide to re-adjust or stay the course in an effort to end the
school year with strong components in place. We wanted to
take this time to bring a bit more focus to a critical
component in building a successful Difference Makers
Program: Study Hall.
The most recent results from RMSER indicate that the
average participants school should be conducting (3) Study
Difference Maker Founder & Director, Jermaine Stafford, speaks to a group
Halls per week, at 55 minutes in length and with 85%
of student-athletes about raising their level of academic game!
attendance. We know that there are many challenges our
schools face when establishing year round programming, especially a consistent study hall.
The start and end time of the school day; lack of lights on the practice field; multiple sport student-athletes; family
obligations for student-athletes; lack of after school support from tutors, teachers and counselors; inadequate space;
transportation issues; are several roadblocks member schools have identified that impact the overall effectiveness of
study hall. However, these challenges can be met and overcome with a solid support team of administrators, coaches,
and teachers in place.
Difference Makers member schools that have demonstrated an effective way to establish a year round study hall
component with high expectations and high participation rates have proven that they can create an overwhelming
positive impact with their student-athletes.
“Changing Norms can be Challenging Work . . .”
Behind every well-run study hall supported by the Performance Coach, there is administrative involvement and a head
coach, driving home expectations, establishing an additional presence, helping to create “rules without ambiguity” and
positively rewarding effort off the playing field. As mentioned before, it does take an entire planning team to support
any successful Difference Makers initiative.
Each year during our summer training and conference, member schools learn that one of the key tenets of the
Difference Makers program involves working to “change norms”. All of us involved recognize that this certainly can be
challenging, and that it takes time and patience to develop. Creating opportunities for all student-athletes to participate
in program components on a consistent basis year round can be a critical piece in creating new learning experiences
that can help fuel a change in culture.
“Problem Free does not always mean Prepared for the Future . . .”
Should every football player or soccer player be involved in study hall, even the kids with good grades? YES! And for
many additional reasons outside of the aforementioned challenging work of changing the culture and norms of
student-athlete participation in your program.
A well-established study hall can serve not only as an important support piece for academic success, but it can also
become a platform to launch other program initiatives such as: community service; SAT/ACT prep; life skills
workshops, special events, etc. It can allow that critical time for an Performance Coach to build positive working
relationships with his or her student-athletes that are the cornerstone in the Difference Makers youth development
approach and philosophy.
In addition, one can look at future preparation. Standard approaches to studying that are often identified for a student
to succeed at the college level recommend study time be at least two hours for every one hour a student spends in
class. So, what are we doing at the high school level to teach our student-athletes how to be responsible pro-active
students? How will they start developing the necessary habits if we don’t start establishing those expectations and
norms with them now?
An opportunity to teach study skills, time management, and planning skills exists for all students no matter what level
of academic achievement they are attaining. Difference Makers programming is geared for ALL, not just those who are
academically “at-risk”.
Student-athletes who have participated in study hall have pointed out that the very nature of the team being committed
to this critical academic component can help create unity, team cohesion, and can have a lasting impact on the
development of life skills.
“Difference Makers study halls were a good thing to keep us focused on our books. Even though I did not struggle in
the classroom, the focus DMP put on studying early as a freshman helped me see early how important it was to study
and keep my grades up.”- Matt Averyheart 2009 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School (Denver, CO) now plays
for the University of TCU
“I looked forward to my mandatory study hall every day with my performance coach. During my four years of high
school, my grade-point average was around 3.1 to 3.2”, Philip Hill Jr., 2009 graduate of SmokeyHill High School
(Aurora, CO)
“Best Practices from the Field . . .”
Below are just some examples of the ways Difference Makers participants schools handle year round initiatives like
study hall:
Plan as a Team: The Difference Makers support team should work together in creating expectations and
programming components. Principals, Athletic Directors, Coaches, Additional Administrators, Guidance Department
personnel, teachers, are all examples of critical team members that can assist a Performance Coach in establishing
strong program components.
Work with Other Sport Coaches: Because of the number of football student-athletes involved in other sports,
establishing working relationships with coaches from other teams is critically important. Some schools set up
agreements with coaches to have kids attend study hall and continue their participation during the winter and spring, or
some set up seasonal support for that other team in addition to the football program.
It is important that other sport coaches take an active role in supporting it, being present, helping to recruit tutoring
support, holding kids accountable, etc. Many Difference Makers schools have effectively expanded their reach into
other sports this way, without putting the critical relationship-building element at risk by spreading the Academic
Coach too thin.
Create Opportunities for Athletic Tie-In: Member schools have successfully created high expectations and
accountability by establishing a direct link between participation in DMP initiatives and access to off-season athletic
privileges such as weight lifting, conditioning work-outs with the team, and equipment for spring practice.
Create a “Buzz” around your Program: Have some fun! Work with your staff and kids to plan special events, team
building outings, community service activities, reward trips and fun activities. The spring off-season presents a great
opportunity to utilize your schools Goal Achievement Fund to help positively reinforce the team and individual efforts
in participation and being accountable.
“Final Words . . .”
Our mission at the Pecos Community Center office is to support member schools and connect them to best practice
resources.