The Dayton Broncos football team is proving they are just as sharp off the field as they are on it, thanks to a new academic initiative led by Head Coach Jerry Prieto.
This school year, Coach Prieto implemented a program to recognize athletes who excel academically, encouraging them to achieve all As and Bs on their report cards while maintaining eligibility to play.
The results are already impressive. For the first six weeks of school, 96 percent of the athletes remained eligible, and 51 percent earned all As and Bs—a true testament to their hard work and dedication.
To celebrate their academic success, Coach Prieto’s wife, Julie Prieto, spearheaded the “Smart Cookies” project. She coordinated with the other coaches’ wives to bake or buy cookies for the students, rewarding not only the football players but also the student athletic trainers for their achievements.
The cookies were bagged and handed out to the “Smart Cookies” during their 6th and 8th period athletic periods, just before practice began. This small but meaningful gesture recognizes the team’s commitment to excellence, both on the field and in the classroom.