Northwestern University Athletics

Team celebration Spotlight Feature

NU Student-Athletes Have Record-Breaking Academic Quarter

12/22/2015 11:12:00 AM | Football, Academic Services & Student Development

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern student-athletes put together arguably their finest academic quarter ever during the fall of 2015, compiling record marks in the classroom across the board.
 
The Wildcats overall student-athlete GPA was a 3.29 while the team average was a 3.32. Both of these are the highest on record for the department. All 19 programs had term GPAs above a 3.00.
 
The fall is the 28th-consecutive academic quarter that NU student-athletes have achieved an average GPA above a 3.00. Seventy-six percent hit that mark while 27 earned perfect 4.0 GPAs. The top teams academically in the fall were men's golf (3.60), field hockey (3.49), women's lacrosse (3.48) and women's fencing (3.42)
 
"The results in the classroom this fall are astounding," said Jim Phillips, Vice President for Athletics and Recreation. "To set records academically while also achieving strong success in athletic competition this fall is indicative of the caliber of student-athlete we have at Northwestern. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of them."
 
Northwestern football notably recorded a 10-win regular season while women's soccer returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997 in the fall. Meanwhile, both basketball programs are off to starts that rank among the best in those programs' histories.
 
This latest data continues a trend that saw Northwestern lead the conference in fall Academic All-Big Ten awards for the third-straight year after earning 103 in its six fall sports in 2015. Football specifically broke its program record with 39 honorees.
 
In November, the NCAA releases its latest Graduation Success Rate (GSR) figures. Northwestern has a 97 percent overall GSR, which leads the Big Ten by eight percentage points and ranks among the top rates nationally.
 

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