March 25, 2004

Columbia, SC –

A record 11 teams posted a grade point average of over 3.0 for the 2003 fall semester, as the University of South Carolina released its academic report for the athletics department.

The overall GPA for the group of 458 student-athletes was 2.790. Women’s golf had the highest GPA at 3.430. Men’s tennis was next at 3.406, that team’s highest GPA in five years. Two teams – women’s basketball (3.038) and softball (3.205) – recorded their highest GPAs on record. Baseball had its highest team GPA in four semesters – a 2.900 – and women’s track (2.966) posted its highest GPA in seven semesters.

The overall GPA for the USC student body (excluding student-athletes) was 2.989.

“Our student-athletes continue to work hard in the classroom and we commend their efforts,” said Mike McGee, director of athletics. “Having a majority of our teams surpass a 3.0 GPA last semester is a tribute to the commitment and emphasis for academic success that our student-athletes, coaches and academic support staff consistently put forth.”

TEAM GRADE POINT AVERAGES FOR THE 2003 FALL SEMESTER

Baseball 2.900

Men’s Basketball 2.314

Women’s Basketball 3.038

Equestrian 3.066

Football 2.239

Men’s Golf 3.149

Women’s Golf 3.430

Men’s Soccer 2.718

Women’s Soccer 3.167

Softball 3.205

Men’s Swimming & Diving 3.073

Women’s Swimming & Diving 3.367

Men’s Tennis 3.406

Women’s Tennis 3.252

Men’s Track & Field 2.713

Women’s Track & Field 2.966

Volleyball 3.138

OVERALL 2.790