GoUSFBulls.com Bulls Post Better Than 80 Percent Graduation Success Rate for Fourth Straight Year

[Triple B]

TAMPA, NOV. 8, 2017– University of South Florida Athletics continued to perform at a high level in the classroom, as the Bulls posted a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 80 percent or better for all student-athletes for the fourth straight year Wednesday, when the NCAA announced GSR numbers for all Division I institutions.
 
USF student-athletes posted a GSR of 82 percent in the most recent data. Four USF sports programs posted a perfect 100 percent GSR and eight of the Bulls' 14 evaluated programs came in at 89 percent or better. The 2017 numbers represent scholarship student-athletes over a six-year period, starting with freshmen that entered college in 2010.
 
"USF student-athletes continue to perform at a very high level in the classroom and pursue excellence in all phases of their lives," USF Director of Athletics Mark Harlan said. "Our continued high GSR scores are a testament to the commitment of our student-athletes and coaches to success in the classroom and the dedication of our talented and passionate Academic Services staff. It's a complete team effort."
 
Five USF programs matched or exceeded their record GSR score. Head coach Ken Eriksen's softball program posted a 100 percent GSR score for the sixth straight time while the women's tennis program under Christina Moros did so for the fourth straight time. The women's golf program under Tiffany Prats and the volleyball program under Courtney Draper each posted 100 percent scores for the second straight time. The men's tennis program under Ashley Fisher posted a record 89 percent GSR score in the most recent reporting. Seven USF women's programs posted an average GSR of 96 percent.
 
"Our first goal is to graduate our student-athletes and prepare them for the next phase in their lives," said Tim Anderson, associate director of athletics for academics. "We continue to benefit from the tremendous support of our administration, coaches and campus partners as we provide high-level support services, resources and an amazing Academic Services staff to our student-athletes. The addition of top-level facilities, such as the Fishman Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center, will help to ensure our student-athletes continue to reach their goals."
 
USF graduated 106 student-athletes in 2016-17 and posted an overall annual department grade-point average in excess of 3.0 for the second straight year, marking a first for USF Athletics. Nearly 500 student-athletes posted a combined GPA of 3.034 in the last academic period and 247 student-athletes recorded a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the 2017 spring semester, a number that represents nearly 60 percent of student-athletes enrolled. The Bulls had 137 student-athletes post better than a 3.5 term GPA and 37 earned a 4.0.
 
The Graduation Success Rate provides data about the most recent six-year graduating class of student-athletes receiving athletics aid and entering college as freshmen in 2010-2011.  The GSR is designed to show the proportion of student-athletes graduating within in a six-year window,  accounting for transferring student-athletes coming into the institution and student-athletes leaving the institution in good standing.

The most recent data is based on percentage of student-athletes who entered college in 2010 and earned a degree. The NCAA developed the Division I Graduation Success Rate in response to college and university presidents who wanted graduation data that more accurately reflect the mobility among all college students today. Both the Graduation Success Rate and the Academic Progress Rate account for the academic outcomes of student-athletes who transfer from one institution to another.
 

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