Go Green: Student-athletes post record-setting year, in classroom
Student-athletes at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay combined to achieve a department-wide grade point average of 3.36 in the spring of 2015, marking the 31st consecutive semester above a 3.0 GPA and the highest cumulative GPA semester during that time.
“We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes who once again have demonstrated success in the classroom. This is an outstanding example of UWGB teamship between faculty and university and department staff and coaches. Everyone is committed to student success,” Director of Athletics Mary Ellen Gillespie said.
For the spring semester of 2015, 14 of the 16 sport programs at Green Bay achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, while 12 of the 16 achieved a 3.36 or higher. The 3.36 cumulative GPA is a new record for Green Bay during its run of 31-straight semesters, besting the previous high of 3.29.
“Achieving a cumulative 3.0 or higher GPA for 31 semesters in a row is an amazing feat,” said Human Biology Prof. Donna Ritch. “The coaches and the athletics staff recruit not only athletically skilled individuals but also academically talented students. Most of our student-athletes realize that they attend UWGB to earn an education because they will not have an opportunity to play professional sports. They dedicate themselves to doing well in the classroom as well as on the playing field and court.”
Seven programs achieved a 3.50 or higher, led by men’s tennis with a 3.80. Women’s cross country (3.73), women’s volleyball (3.70), women’s basketball (3.61), women’s Nordic ski (3.60), women’s soccer (3.58) and women’s swimming and diving (3.52) all posted above 3.50 GPAs.
A total of 169 student-athletes achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher, which accounted for over 76 percent of all student-athletes. The total number of student-athletes to achieve a 4.0 or higher was over 17 percent (39 total).
“This is very exciting and we are very proud of the success and accomplishments of our student-athletes during these past 31 semesters. It takes a team effort and we are blessed with outstanding student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff and administrators to help make this happen,” Assistant AD for Compliance and Student-Athlete Welfare Mike Kline said.
“Our student-athletes often demonstrate the same dedication in the classroom that they demonstrate on the court, field, or trails,” said Human Development Prof. Ryan Martin. “They care about their studies, and it shows in their high quality work.”
The percentage of student-athletes to graduate with honors (3.5 or higher) was over 55 percent, with a total of 123 Phoenix student-athletes registering Honors, High Honors or Highest Honors.
PHOENIX TEAMS POST PERFECT APR SCORES
In addition to Green Bay’s academic success this spring, three Phoenix programs posted perfect Academic Progress Rates (APR) in the 2013-14 academic year.
Earning perfect APR scores were men’s cross country, women’s cross country and volleyball. Eight other programs posted an APR of over 980 (perfect score = 1000). A total of 11 Phoenix teams finished above the average four-year APR for all NCAA academic schools, which was 978.
The APR is a real-time measure of eligibility, retention and graduation of student-athletes competing on every Division I sports team. It is designed to improve the academic success and graduation rates of all student-athletes.
– Story courtesy of Green Bay Athletics, www.greenbayphoenix.com/
