University of Oklahoma Athletics
OU Athletics Sets Pair of GPA Records
January 26, 2017 | Athletics
NORMAN ?University of Oklahoma student-athletes set a pair of school records in the fall with their work in the classroom. OU student-athletes' 3.07 cumulative GPA for the semester ranks as the highest in recorded school history, and marked a record 10th consecutive semester of posting at least a 3.0 figure.
OU's streak of student-athletes posting a GPA of at least 3.0 started in spring 2012. Averages have ranged from 3.01 to 3.07. The 3.07 cumulative fall GPA reflects the overall academic performance of those student-athletes from their first semester of collegiate enrollment through the completion of the fall 2016 term.
"At the University of Oklahoma, our student-athletes are not only outstanding athletes but also outstanding students academically," said OU President David L. Boren. "Our goal has always been to be strong in both areas. We are truly a model for other universities. I salute both the students and staff in our athletics department, including Athletics Director Joe Castiglione and his colleagues."
Sixteen of OU's 19 athletics teams held a 3.00 cumulative GPA following the fall semester. Ten teams (women's basketball [3.21], women's cross country [3.45], women's golf [3.35], women's gymnastics [3.38], women's rowing [3.38], women's soccer [3.34], softball [3.22], women's tennis [3.55], women's track and field [3.25] and women's volleyball [3.34]) own a cumulative GPA above a 3.20.
"Our student-athletes are not only outstanding athletes but also outstanding students academically. We are truly a model for other universities."- OU President David L. Boren
"We're so proud of the commitment to excellence of our student-athletes both on the playing surface and in the classroom," said Castiglione. "The dedication required of our student-athletes to succeed in both realms is extraordinary, and we continue to be impressed by their perseverance. I also would like to commend our coaching and academic staffs for their commitment to our student-athletes and for fostering a strong network of academic support."
The Sooners' academic performance this past fall continued a strong trend. OU Athletics has achieved record improvement in its NCAA Graduation Success Rate in the last six years, jumping from 71 to 85 percent during that time span. The 85 percent figure exceeds the national average of 84 percent. Seven OU programs registered a 100-percent Graduation Success Rate for the reporting period: men's gymnastics, men's tennis, women's basketball, women's gymnastics, rowing, women's tennis and volleyball.
