Everyone, including the players might be focusing on another successful DU men’s basketball season and possible second straight trip to the post-season.

But the first arena they search for success in is academics.

Many fans, players and even coaches these days are forgetting why these tremendous athletes are at their institution in the first place.

It is not to show off their dunking abilities or slap shot or golf swing, but to get an education, something that Denver basketball head coach Terry Carroll and his players never lose sight of.

“Our whole academic focus starts in the recruiting process because we don’t recruit guys that don’t realize what they are coming to this university for; to get an education, get a degree and become a better basketball player,” said Carroll.

The men had a team 3.18 GPA last fall. DU’s 76 percent graduation rate by student-athletes is tops in the Sun Belt Conference, 17 percent above second-ranked Arkansas State.

“Academics are first and foremost, our whole team sacrifices for everyone else so a player never has to miss a class, lab or tutoring session,” said the sixth year head coach.

On extended road trips the Pioneers as a team will gather in a conference room of the hotel and have a study session to get work done in between games.

“Helping with registration and recognizing balance is so important,” said Associate Athletics Director for Internal Relations Heather Weems.

She added, “We are looking at the classes, how much time they are going to be missing and the work load for the classes.”

The Athletic Department does a great job in helping the athletes find classes and a schedule that they will be able to succeed with, especially during the season of their sport where they can be in practice, games and on the road for numerous hours.

“We try to help student-athletes balance their student roles and athletics roles. We oversee study sessions, help athletes with their scheduling and just give them any support they need,” said Weems.

Senior forward Terrence Gordon is currently enrolled in the applied communication’s program and will receive a certificate in public relations and marketing.

“You’ve just got to know that school is first. We are here to play basketball, but at the end of the day it is only a game and your education is going to be there forever,” said Gordon, who has already graduated with a Bachelor’s Arts in anthropology.

Gordon hopes to play basketball overseas next year, but if that does not work out, he will look for a job in media or public relations.

On the road, back at school and everywhere else, basketball might be on the front of their minds, but school is always in the back. Study hall is required for all players that currently have below a 3.0 GPA. Players must attend the study period for eight hours a week with teachers and staff at hand to help out the athletes.

“Our coach really puts an emphasis on academics, because if we are not doing well in the classroom then there is no way we are going to play because of ineligibility and that is one thing that really drives us,” said senior Yemi Nicholson, who will most likely graduate at the end of the winter quarter.

He added, “Being a senior I only have two classes to take this quarter and it has taken a lot of pressure of off me.”

The 6-foot-11-inch big man is majoring in communications and will look for employment playing in the NBA or abroad next season.

“My parents are definitely more about school than basketball. Ever since I was little my parents have engraved in my head that school is always first to anything,” said Nicholson.

Senior guard Brett Seger has a 3.9 GPA. Seger has not only had a sweet shot for the Pioneers on the court this season, but also in the classroom as he will be graduating in June with a BSBA and a MBA from the Daniel’s College of Business.

“You miss about 40 percent of your classes during the winter quarter, so you have to get a lot of help from your teachers and you don’t have a lot of time for a social life. If you make school a priority you can get it done,” said Seger.

Carroll is pleased with the leadership displayed by his seniors.

“I am very proud of our four seniors, but I am also very proud of our seniors that have been here before that have laid the ground work for them. We lead the conference every year in team GPA,” said Carroll.

Not only has Denver led the Sun Belt Conference in GPA every year under Carroll, but the Pioneers are in the top 10 percent of men’s basketball programs for team GPA in the country.

“We expect all of our guys to work every day to their maximum potential and capability in the classroom, and if they do that, we feel everything will work out,” said Carroll, last year’s Sun Belt Coach of the Year.

At college basketball programs across the nation, fans, players and coaches sometimes concentrate too much on winning and preparing to advance to the NBA and put an education secondary.

Basketball might not always be there, but the student-athletes can always rely on their college degree to get them a job.