Student-Athletes Extend 3.0 Streak to 39 Semesters
Student-Athletes at the University of South Carolina ended the Spring 2026 semester with a departmental grade point average (GPA) of 3.426, the fifth highest semester departmental GPA in program history.
This marks the department’s 39th consecutive semester with a departmental GPA above 3.0.
The cumulative grade point average for student-athletes in each sport since they arrived at Carolina is 3.486, which stands as the second highest cumulative GPA ever for Gamecock student-athletes (Fall 2025 – 3.52). In addition, department named 95 student-athletes to the President’s List for earning a 4.0 GPA, 158 student-athletes to the Dean’s List (3.5 GPA) and 394 to the Athletics Director’s Honor Roll (3.0 GPA).
“While much has changed in college athletics over the last several years, the word ‘student’ in student-athlete remains as important as ever,” said Athletics Director Jeremiah Donati. “Our students continue to work hard in the classroom and remain committed to academic excellence and earning their degrees. We are also grateful for the tremendous support provided by our academic services staff and the members of the Gamecock Club, whose philanthropic generosity helps make these scholarships possible.”
“Thirty-nine consecutive semesters of earning a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher speaks volumes about the dedication of our student-athletes and the support system surrounding them at the University of South Carolina,” said Charlie Ball, Senior Associate AD for Academics. “The Dodie Academic Team is passionate about helping our student-athletes maximize their potential academically while preparing them for meaningful success beyond athletics. This achievement reflects a shared commitment to excellence in every area of the student-athlete experience.”
Seventeen of 18 teams earned a 3.0 GPA or higher for the semester. Women’s Tennis had the highest team GPA for the spring at 3.813, followed by Women’s Swimming and Diving at 3.777 and Women’s Golf at 3.715.
A total of 80 student-athletes graduated after the Spring semester, with 342 student-athletes earning degrees during the last five semester graduation exercises (since Spring 2024).
Team – Spring 2026 Semester GPAs
Baseball – 3.1
Men’s Basketball – 2.696
Women’s Basketball – 3.345
Beach Volleyball – 3.677
Equestrian – 3.681
Football – 3.194
Men’s Golf – 3.285
Women’s Golf – 3.715
Men’s Soccer – 3.585
Women’s Soccer – 3.69
Softball – 3.613
Men’s Swimming and Diving – 3.544
Women’s Swimming and Diving – 3.777
Men’s Tennis – 3.418
Women’s Tennis – 3.813
Men’s Track and Field – 3.259
Women’s Track and Field / Cross Country – 3.354
Volleyball – 3.7
The 2025-26 season was another banner academic year for Gamecock student-athletes. Additional highlights include:
- A total of 77 student-athletes were named to the 2025-26 Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll. The total is tied for the most on the 2025-26 Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll with Georgia. Thus far, in the 2025-26 academic year (counting Fall and Winter Honor Rolls), South Carolina leads all SEC schools with 205 earning Academic Honor Roll status. Since the 2015-16 academic year, USC has the most student-athletes earning SEC Academic Honor Roll status with 4,430 on the list.
- Two Gamecocks earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-America honors. In its history, Carolina has had 128 Academic All-America honors (1st, 2nd or 3rd team), including 16 in the last three years (since 2024)
- Joyce Edwards, Women’s Basketball (2nd Team Women’s Basketball)
- Sophie Verzyl, Women’s Swimming & Diving (2nd Team Women’s Swimming & Diving).
- 42 Gamecocks have earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors.
- Baseball – Josh Gregoire, Parker Marlatt, Amp Phillips, Logan Prisco, Alex Valentin
- Women’s Basketball – Joyce Edwards, Ta’Niya Latson, Madina Okot
- Football – David Bucey, Nyck Harbor, Brady Hunt, William Joyce and Mason Love
- Softball – Shane Anderson, Karley Shelton, Tori Ensley, Lexi Winters, Arianna Rodi
- Men’s Soccer – William Nilsson, Ethan Ballek, Isaiah Whittaker-Francis, Mika Habel, Andrew Goldsworthy and Alejandro Velazquez-Lopez
- Women’s Soccer – Maggie Taitano, Amanda Patrick, Cuyler Zulauf, Micah Bryant and Reagan Schubach
- Women’s Swimming & Diving – Amy Riordan, Emma Reiser, Jordan Agliano, Sophie Verzyl
- Men’s Swimming & Diving – Pierre Largeron, Harvey Freeman, Gage Hulbert
- Men’s Tennis – Max Stenzer
- Women’s Tennis – Helena Buckwald, Jana Stojanva, Lauren Friedman
- Volleyball – Sarah Jordan and Emily Beeker
- For the 27th time in program history, the Gamecock Cross Country team was named USTFCCCA All-Academic Team. In addition, Anya Arroyo, Teresa Cherotich and Abir Reffas were each named All-Academic Athletes.
- 12 Gamecock equestrian student-athletes earned 1st-Team NCEA Academic in 2025-26: Alyssa Bauer, Olivia Cardi, Natalie Jayne, Carly Jenkins, Alyssa Jipping, Amira Kettaneh, Mary Hunter Millet, Alexis Potts, Grace Rabb, Sarah Rabb, Gracie Mae Stingle and Ruby Voortmeyer. Two additional student-athletes – Mattie McNeill and Haley Turner – were named 2nd-Team NCEA All-Academic.
- Football student-athletes Luke Doty, Brady Hunt and William Joyce are among the elite group of players honored as part of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame’s 2026 Hampshire Honor Society, which is based on grade point average, playing role and academic class status.
