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SALT LAKE CITY — Since joining the Pac-12 eight years ago, the Utah athletics programs have shown they can compete in their various athletic events. They’ve also shown they can excel in the classroom as well.
On Monday, Utah achieved its highest fall semester GPA record of 3.295, up from its previous spot at 3.20 last fall. The GPA factors in all 20 athletic teams. Utah also had its best Graduation Success Rate (95 percent) in the NCAA this year.
“I am incredibly impressed with the commitment and drive our student-athletes showed in the classroom while also excelling competitively in the fall semester,” Utah’s director of athletics Mark Harlan said in a statement. “To achieve close to a 3.30 GPA across all sports is just a phenomenal accomplishment, as is our 95 percent graduation rate.
“Credit also goes to our academic staff, which has done a terrific job counseling, mentoring and instilling the importance of academic success in our student-athletics.”
Eighteen of Utah’s 20 teams earned a GPA over a 3.0, with seven getting above a 3.5 (gymnastics, men’s skiing, women’s skiing, indoor and outdoor track and field, cross-country and women’s tennis).
The football team set a new GPA record, coming in at 2.925 and was one of four teams to set a semester record. The others included women’s track and field (3.661), softball (3.474) and women’s basketball (3.407).
Also, 78 student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0 GPA, while 71 percent of the 552 student-athletes made the honor roll, which is a minimum of 3.0. Fourty-two percent also made the dean’s list, which is higher than a 3.5 GPA.
