Gamecock Athletes Excel in the Classroom

Record Number of Teams Post 3.0 GPA or Better

June 26, 2008

For the third consecutive semester, the University of South Carolina's average grade point average (GPA) of its 450 student-athletes eclipsed the 3.0 mark, posting a combined 3.075 GPA, as the athletics department released its Spring 2008 academic report today.

A record number 14 of the University's 17 athletic programs posted a 3.0 GPA or better for the Spring 2008 semester. The previous high for teams with a 3.0 or better was 13 in the Spring of 2007 and in the Fall of 2007. It marked the sixth straight semester that a dozen or more of the athletics programs exceeded the 3.0 GPA milestone. Men's tennis led the way with a team GPA of 3.627, followed by the women's golf team with a team GPA of 3.597. Men's tennis and men's track & field (3.162) logged its highest team GPA on record while football had its second-highest GPA ever (2.620).

Fifty student-athletes were named to the President's List, which honors students with a perfect 4.0 GPA, accounting for 11 percent of the student-athlete population. In addition, 130 student-athletes were named to the Dean's List.

The overall average GPA for 17,229 USC-Columbia students in the Spring of 2008 was 3.154.

"It is very fulfilling to see our student-athletes see results from their hard work and commitment in the classroom," said Raymond Harrison, Director of Academics and Life Skills. "The academic expectations and standards have been raised and as true competitors our students have responded to the challenge. There has been a shift in the mindset of our students and this is a credit to the leadership throughout the athletics department," continued Harrison. "The message has been consistent, from the Academic Enrichment Center (AEC) staff to the coaches to the administration. We are very proud of our student-athletes at the University of South Carolina and we strive to build on the foundation that has been set."

TEAM GRADE POINT AVEARGES (Spring 2008)

Baseball 2.986

Men's Basketball 2.264

Women's Basketball 3.250

Equestrian 3.367

Football 2.620

Men's Golf 3.231

Women's Golf 3.597

Men's Soccer 3.277

Women's Soccer 3.261

Softball 3.354

Men's Swimming & Diving 3.171