Western Illinois Athletics Sets New Standard in the Classroom

Friday, January 19, 2024 | By: WIU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

MACOMB -- It was a productive fall semester in the classroom for Western Illinois University student-athletes, as Leathernecks posted a 3.39 cumulative Grade Point Average, the highest in the history of Western Illinois Athletics.

The semester report comes a few weeks after Western Illinois Athletics received high marks in the NCAA's Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and Federal Graduation Rate data from the 2013-14 to 2016-17 freshman cohort.

Leatherneck Athletics' GSR surpassed the federal rate and WIU graduation rate for the reported cohorts in all WIU-sponsored sports, including perfect 100s in women's golf, women's tennis, and volleyball.

This most recent semester featured many successes among teams and individuals.

The Western Illinois women's basketball team led the way, setting a new women's basketball program record for the highest GPA since the department began tracking the data in the Fall of 1998. The Leatherneck women hoopsters posted the highest team GPA in the department with a 3.854.

The women's golf team also had a strong showing, setting their program record for GPA since the department began tracking classroom performances with a 3.801. The program also had the second-highest team GPA in the department.

Women's tennis had a 3.792 grade point average, softball a 3.491, volleyball a 3.465, women's soccer a 3.406 and women's track and field a 3.195.

On the men's side, men's soccer led the way with a team grade point average of 3.56.

Men's basketball also had the highest GPA in program history, with a 3.221. Men's track and field had a 3.153, baseball a 3.195, men's golf a 3.085 and football a 2.856.

In total, out of 359 student-athletes, 45 earned a perfect 4.0 GPA, 146 students earned a 3.6 or higher GPA, and 240 earned a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Western Illinois Athletics continues to build upon its success by expanding its academic support opportunities for student-athletes. This semester will see an increase in supervised study table opportunities, more in-person tutoring being provided, and a new process for supporting student-athletes who need additional resources.

In a show of appreciation, Western Illinois Athletics has designated the Thursday, February 8 women's and men's basketball doubleheader against Little Rock as Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night.

Faculty and Staff will be recognized at halftime of the women's game and all student-athletes with a grade point average higher than 3.0 will be recognized at halftime of the men's game.

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