Archimed “Archie” Sabu is flourishing in the classroom and on the field at Holy Cross.
During a rare quiet moment at Holy Cross College in January, senior men’s soccer player Archimed Sabu reflected on how far he has come—both on the field and in the classroom- since his childhood in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“I never thought I would have been here,” he said. “I had a good childhood, but there was nothing in terms of opportunities in higher education. I had the responsibility on my shoulders to be a successful person.”
Sabu, known as Archie around campus, has answered the call and recently had a fall semester grade point average of 4.0. He is part of a larger narrative of Holy Cross student-athletes who excel in sports and academics at the South Bend institution.
Eleven student-athletes achieved a 4.0, while 60 percent of Holy Cross student-athletes maintain GPAs of 3.5 or higher, with 84% achieving a 3.0 or above. Several of those athletes gathered inside the Phiel Center with their coaches to reflect on this success.
At Holy Cross, the mission to educate hearts and minds comes alive in the success of student-athletes, who strive for excellence in all areas of their lives.
A Personal, Supportive Approach to Education
Jordyn Smith cherishes the personal approach of Holy Cross professors.
At Holy Cross, the pursuit of excellence starts on the recruiting trail where potential student-athletes learn via coaches about the small class sizes and world-class faculty there to ensure success.
“I do like the small classes,” said Martin Von Thun, a German-native and another men’s soccer senior academic standout. “The professors personalize their feedback to you.”
It is a common theme for students, athletes or not, at Holy Cross. Senior women’s basketball player and 4.0 student , who went to nearby Penn High School in Granger, Indiana, said she was one of an estimated 4,000 students there.
“In high school, I didn’t see the same teachers often, and it felt impersonal,” she said. “Here, I have had professors for five or six classes. It is easier to go up and talk about it because they are excited. They will ask about the game last night. They care about you.”
A Culture of High Standards
Lilly Toppen says Holy Cross’ environment in the classroom brings out her best.
This personalized approach by Holy Cross is also mirrored in athletics, where coaches like women’s basketball’s Tom Robbins create an environment fostering healthy competitors and individuals. “When you have a core group of high achievers, that sets the tone for the whole program,” Robbins explains. “Bringing in students who already have a strong work ethic and competitive drive helps lift everyone.”
For Holy Cross student-athletes, the drive to excel does not stop once they leave the playing field. It goes to another level.
“I just want to be the best,” Von Thon said matter-of-factly. “It is on the field. It is off the field. I cannot stand other people being better. Sometimes I must put in a little extra work.”
Lilly Toppen, a sophomore on the women’s basketball team, has made the dean’s list in each semester of her college career. She credits her parents and sisters for helping cultivate a passion for learning and success.
“I’m a perfectionist,” Toppen said. “I want to get everything done to the standard it should be.”
Looking for the right fit
Martin Von Thon met his wife, while succeeding in the classroom and on the soccer field after coming from Germany.
Men’s soccer coach Omar Gallo said that he wants to ensure families that he helping shape tomorrow’s leaders.
“The reality is that the more I’ve learned and grown as a coach, the reality is who you are as a person,” Gallo said. “When I recruit kids, I’ve got to make sure they’re in the right place mentally, physically, academics, and then soccer.”
This relentless pursuit of well-balanced excellence, encouraged by the supportive environment at Holy Cross, is deeply personal for many students.
“My dad always told me to give everything my best,” Sabu said. “It is not about pressure—it is about knowing what I am capable of. I do not want to just pass; I want to excel.”
This drive extends beyond graduation. Von Thun, who plans to pursue a master’s degree in nonprofit administration at Notre Dame, credits Holy Cross for setting him on this path. “Holy Cross allowed me to combine academics with athletics,” he says. “The support here changed my life. Without this place, I would not be heading to Notre Dame.”
The Holistic Approach to Growth and Opportunity
Holy Cross women’s basketball coach Tom Robbins says his team’s high academic standards lift the performance of everyone in the program.
The Holy Cross athletic program fosters a well-rounded student experience, providing structured study tables, tutoring, and mentorship to ensure success.
For first-year students, these resources help them adapt to the demands of college life, while upper-class students benefit from peer collaboration and guidance from faculty. It is a natural extension of their teamwork on the field.
“If an individual is struggling, we’ve got that inter-connection available with high-achieving people, so it creates a good dynamic,” Robbins said.
This sense of community extends beyond academics and athletics. The relationships formed at Holy Cross prepare students not just for college, but for life beyond graduation.
“We all want to win a championship, but the reality is, it’s very difficult,” men’s soccer coach Omar Gallo said. “The championship for us is seeing who these kids become in five years after graduation.”