Cards' Academic Success Continues To Rise
October 14, 2008 | General
Oct. 14, 2008
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Success in academics for the University of Louisville student-athletes continues to rise, reflected in national graduation rates released today by the NCAA.
Over the last five years, graduation rates for U of L student-athletes have risen 13 percent, improving from 48 percent for the freshman class which entered U of L in 1997-98 to a 65 percent graduation rate in the most recent 2001-02 figures. U of L student-athletes graduate at a 21 percent higher rate than the overall university student population.
U of L student-athletes achieved a record 75 percent graduation rate in the Graduation Success Rate (GSR) Report, which was developed four years ago to account for transfers into the university who graduate and those who leave in good academic standing. Six sports -- men's and women's tennis, men's swimming, women's golf, field hockey and volleyball -- attained a 100 percent GSR.
"I'm pleased with the progress we made over the years," said Tom Jurich, U of L Vice-President for Athletics. "Our coaches have brought a great group of student-athletes to our campus, our academic support staff is committed to aiding them and our student-athletes have obviously made their own personal commitments to achieve in the classroom. We're proud with our continued improvement, but certainly not satisfied."
Three members of the current Cardinal football team -- Brock Bolen, Sergio Spencer and Marcus Folmar -- have each already earned their bachelor's degrees. Seventeen of the Cardinals' 19 seniors last season graduated from U of L and the remaining two will complete their degrees this December. Fourteen of 17 members of the 2007 Cardinal football senior class graduated.
In men's basketball, the Cardinals had a 42 percent graduation rate in the most recent NCAA report. In a more current view, 10 of the Cardinals' 14 men's basketball seniors over the last five years have earned their degrees.
U of L recognized a record 332 members of the 2008 spring semester Athletic Director's Honor Roll -- those who achieved a 3.0 or better grade point average -- at halftime of its Sept. 17 game against Kansas State. That figure which represents over half of the Cards' student-athletes.
U of L Freshman Cohort Graduation RatesGraduation Rate All Student-Year Students Athletes1997-98 35% 48%1998-99 33% 55%1999-00 37% 56%2000-01 41% 59%2001-02 44% 65%
Four-Class Average All Student-Year Students Athletes1997-98 33% 45%1998-99 34% 50%1999-00 35% 52%2000-01 37% 54%2001-02 39% 58%
Student-AthleteGraduation Success Rate1998-99 66%1999-00 68%2000-01 72%2001-02 75%
