Feb. 11, 2010

University of South Carolina student-athletes completed the Fall 2009 semester on a high note academically, surpassing the 3.0 departmental grade point average (GPA) for the sixth-consecutive semester. The mean GPA for Carolina student-athletes was 3.126, ranking favorably with the general student body GPA of 3.141. Thirteen out of 17 teams eclipsed the 3.0 plateau and several teams enjoyed the best semester on record.

Kalen Anderson’s women’s golf team earned recognition as the department’s leader with a 3.485 GPA. Men’s soccer and men’s tennis followed closely, as they both earned identical GPAs of 3.484.

Football (2.695), men’s soccer (3.484), and men’s track & field (3.205) achieved its highest GPAs on record, while baseball (3.157) and women’s track & field (3.362) had its second highest GPA recorded. Men’s basketball continued its upward trend of academic success under Darrin Horn, finishing with a 2.822 team GPA.

Overall, 47 student-athletes were named to the President’s List, 154 to the Dean’s List, and a grand total of 346 student-athletes were named to the Athletics Director’s Honor Roll.

“Our student-athletes are continuing to excel academically and it is truly gratifying,” said Raymond Harrison Jr., Director of Academics and Life Skills. “Whenever they are experiencing this level of academic success, you know they are moving closer to earning their degrees. That has always been the goal. The expectations have been set high and they continue to strive for greater heights. These achievements are the result of a concerted effort on the part of the Academic Enrichment Center, coaches and administrators in emphasizing the importance of academic excellence.”

Bold – Highest GPA Fall 2009 *Highest GPA on record **2nd Highest GPA on record