Jan. 30, 2012

COLUMBIA, S.C. – University of South Carolina student-athletes achieved the highest departmental GPA ever with a 3.202 average during the 2011 fall semester, it was announced today. The strong showing continued a positive trend, which has seen the department post a grade point average above 3.0 for 10 consecutive semesters.

“We are very proud of the way our student-athletes have represented the academic mission of the University,” said Raymond Harrison, Associate Athletics Director – Academic Services. “They have embraced the understanding that the discipline, focus and work ethic needed for academic success translates directly to the success they experience in athletics and in life.”

Three squads – equestrian (3.545), women’s swimming and diving (3.618), and men’s track and field (3.252) – surpassed its highest GPA on record. Two teams, men’s basketball (2.932) and women’s soccer (3.493) achieved their second highest GPA on record. Thirteen out of 17 teams scored a 3.0, while 12 teams improved its GPA from the previous semester.

Women’s golf (3.664) earned the title of departmental leader for fall 2011. No teams scored below a 2.7 GPA, and the football team (2.704) recorded its third consecutive semester above a 2.7.

Sixty-one student-athletes were named to the President’s List with a perfect 4.0 GPA while 181 were named to the Dean’s List, and 360 made the Athletics Director’s Honor Roll (3.0 GPA).