At Rutgers University, the men’s basketball staff places as much emphasis on each player’s academic success as it does on his athletic achievement. Head coach Mike Rice and his staff take an active role in players’ academic progress. Each coach keeps a daily account of their assigned players’ class and tutor schedule, when assignments are due and when tests are approaching, thus offering continued focus and support.
As part of the staff’s commitment to academics, the Scarlet Knights have a full-time academic advisor who oversees all areas of the team’s academic life. Assistant Director of Academic Support for Student-Athletes Randi Larson works closely with the student-athletes, coaches and instructors to facilitate and enhance academic progress.
Larson’s role with the basketball team includes help with scheduling, study skills and time management plus providing tutors and services necessary for top academic performance. Through effective and constant communication with student-athletes, coaches, instructors, college deans and other university administrators, Larson is able to anticipate the needs of the student-athletes and provide support and structure for the fulfillment of each player’s academic goals.
In order to meet the needs of the Scarlet Knights during the season, Larson travels to away games, facilitating study hall while on the road. She also guides the Scarlet Knights in the Rutgers life skills program called RU STRONG, which strives to provide growth in four areas: academic excellence, personal development, career development and community service. Involvement in the RU STRONG program provides opportunities to develop important skills such as responsibility and independence.
Larson arrived at Rutgers in the fall of 2001 and begins her 10th season with the Scarlet Knight men’s basketball program. She brought her experiences from Wagner College where she served as an Assistant Athletic Director, the Associate Director of Academic Advisement, and the Assistant Softball Coach throughout her three years in that athletic department. While there, she also earned her Master of Business Administration degree in May of 2000.
Larson graduated from Penn State University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. She was a four-year varsity letterwinner as an outfielder for the Lady Lion softball team, earning Big-Ten Academic recognition throughout her career. An active student-athlete, she was a Student-Athlete Advisory Board member, Student-Athlete Peer Network member, and participated in a variety of community service activities.
In addition to heading up the academic support system for the men’s basketball program, she serves as the academic advisor for the men’s and women’s soccer programs. She is also the Scholarship Program Coordinator for Academic Support Services for Student-Athletes and is a member of the Region 2 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship committee.
A native of Morrisville, Pa, Larson has worked as an instructor for the Livingston College freshman course and now teaches a seminar course for transfer students.
Randi and her husband Benjamin Shove reside in Piscataway.
