Earlier this week, USA Today published a special report on sports and academics. Articles in the report included a look at the challenging balancing act of an academic adviser, a look at how athletes feel pressure in their selection of majors, and a look at a task force at the U of MN on academic support and performance for student athletes.

Two players on Purdue's roster are also making news in the classroom. Sophomore Sam Woods is going to redshirt this season because of the overlap in academics and athletics in her schedule. "The problem's not my grades," Woods said. "I don't have low grades, but with chemical engineering, I'm taking an organic class that's directly in the middle (of practice). It starts even after practice started. So its really complicated to make it to both and dedicate myself."

Woods' teammate Lauren Mioton is a finalist for a Rhodes Scholarship and the John Wooden Citizenship Cup.