The female student-athletes’ GPA was again above a 3.0 (3.003) with 62 percent (84 of 136) of all female athletes earning a 3.0 or better.  The number of male student-athletes to earn a 3.0 or better was one of the highest in recent history, as nearly 40 percent (93 of 244) of male athletes garnered a 3.0 or greater.

The Cajuns’ 380 student-athletes earned a combined GPA of 2.78 for the Fall 2009 semester and currently hold a cumulative GPA of 2.82!  In fact, the student-athletes’ Fall 2009 GPA and cumulative GPA are higher than the University’s general student body.  The same comparisons hold true when comparing male student-athlete’s to the male student body and female student-athletes to the female student body.

Not only are more student-athletes reaching the 3.0 mark, but those that are missing the mark are continuing to improve and not missing by much.  Eleven of the 14 sports teams saw their Fall 2009 Team GPA increase from the Spring 2009 total (indoor and outdoor track considered one sport for this data).  In addition, 10 of the 14 teams posted a better team GPA in the Fall 2009 versus the Fall 2008.

Ten of the Cajuns 14 teams had a GPA of 2.9 or better for the Fall 2009 semester, including six teams that posted a team GPA of 3.0 or greater.

"It seems like we say it every year, but our student-athletes continue to amaze us," Acting Director/Academic Counselor of the Student-Athlete Academic Center Christy Alford said.  "They work hard and are committed to academics.

"The resources the Student-Athlete Academic Center provides play a vital role in assisting our student-athletes.  We are able to provide the necessary tools, like our academic coaching program, to help student-athletes achieve their academic goals."

Eighteen Cajuns earned a perfect 4.0 GPA during the fall semester, while an additional 52 student-athletes earned a 3.50-3.99 and 107 more logged between a 3.0-3.49.

The softball team captured the best team GPA with a 3.228.  In addition to a pair of Women’s College World Series appearances since 2003, the softball team has posted a team GPA of 3.0 or better in nine different semesters over that period, including the last five consecutive semesters.

The soccer team had a Fall 2009 team GPA of 3.217.  It was soccer’s 14^th consecutive semester with a team GPA greater than 3.0. 

Once again, the golf team captured high honors for men’s programs for the fifth straight semester with a 3.098 GPA. Golf has produced a team GPA of 3.0 or greater in eight of the last 11 semesters.

-Ragin’ Cajuns-