SIUE Student-Athletes’ Impressive Academic Streak Reaches 14 Years
Despite dealing with unprecedented circumstances and academic adjustments, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville student-athletes have once again risen to the challenge of achieving high academic success.
For the 28th semester in a row, SIUE student-athletes have earned a combined grade point average better than a 3.0, extending their impressive streak to 14 total years. During the spring 2020 semester, student-athletes cruised past the 3.0 threshold and boasted a 3.494 GPA, the highest since moving to NCAA Division I status. In total, 12 teams earned a team GPA above 3.0, nine of which were above a 3.5.
“I congratulate our student-athletes on their strong finish to the semester and the academic year,” SIUE Director of Athletics Tim Hall said. “I continue to be impressed with their resiliency in terms of transitioning to online and virtual learning.”
Women’s Cross Country rose to the top for the first time with a record 3.782, which marks the third highest team GPA since transitioning to Division I. The second spot, separated only by three one-thousandths of a point, saw Women’s Tennis edge out Cougars Softball. The tennis team earned its highest team GPA with a 3.689 while softball earned its second highest team GPA with a 3.686.
Men’s Soccer claimed the top spot for the men’s teams with a record 3.666. Men’s Golf, a mainstay in the top three, came in second among men’s team with their second highest team GPA at 3.580. Men’s Track and Field claimed the third spot at 3.273.
A record 78 percent of SIUE student-athletes earned a GPA above a 3.0 for the semester, while 26 percent (60 student-athletes) earned a perfect 4.0.
“I thank our Athletics academic staff, along with University faculty and staff, for their hard work and willingness to serve our student-athletes especially during this trying time,” Hall added.
Finishing with a 3.407 GPA for the entire 2019-20 academic year, the SIUE Athletics cleared the 3.3 threshold for its third consecutive year. The women’s team average for the year was 3.533 and the men’s team average for the year was 3.233. For the year, 84 percent of SIUE student-athletes have a cumulative GPA above a 3.0.
