May 31, 2004

Columbia, SC –

University of South Carolina student-athletes performed better than ever in the classroom last semester, as the Gamecock athletics department posted a school-record 2.936 grade point average for the recently completed spring semester. That GPA betters the previous mark of 2.894 from the 2002 spring semester.

Three Carolina teams, including the football squad, posted their highest GPAs on record. Football compiled a 2.592 (previous best was a 2.561 in spring of 2002); softball had a 3.332 (previous best was a 3.205 in fall of 2003); and men’s soccer posted a 3.241 (previous best was a 3.164 in spring of 2000). Ten of the 17 varsity team GPAs exceeded 3.0.

Women’s golf had the highest team GPA at 3.493, followed by men’s tennis at 3.438. Thirty student-athletes were named to the President’s List for recording a perfect 4.0 GPA, while 99 student-athletes made the Dean’s List (3.5-3.99). Overall, there were 414 student-athletes included in last semester’s academic report.

The athletics department’s overall GPA of 2.936 nearly mirrors that of the USC student body (excluding student-athletes), which was a 2.991 last semester.

“Congratulations to our student-athletes, coaches, and support staff for this outstanding performance in the classroom last semester,” said Mike McGee, Director of Athletics. “Having the highest department GPA on record and having three of our teams achieve their highest GPA ever reflects the commitment and effort put forth by all these individuals.”

TEAM GRADE POINT AVERAGES FOR THE 2004 SPRING SEMESTER

Baseball 2.863

Men’s Basketball 2.375

Women’s Basketball 2.867

Equestrian 3.151

Football 2.592

Men’s Golf 3.062

Women’s Golf 3.493

Men’s Soccer 3.241

Women’s Soccer 3.273

Softball 3.332

Men’s Swimming 2.860

Women’s Swimming 3.357

Men’s Tennis 3.438

Women’s Tennis 3.353

Men’s Track 2.774

Women’s Track 3.085

Volleyball 2.862

OVERALL 2.936