MORAGA, Calif. — One of three parts of the mission statement for Saint Mary's College Athletics is "providing student-athletes with an opportunity to compete successfully in an intercollegiate athletic program that is an integral part of their educational experience." That educational experience that makes Saint Mary's so unique was on full display in the fall semester. Of the 16 varsity sports the athletic department sponsors, 15 of them earned fall semester grade point averages above 3.0, the most in the history of the athletics department.
 
Department-wide, the Gaels averaged a 3.28 grade point average in the fall of 2019, while every team was above a 2.85 GPA. Leading the way in the fall was the women's volleyball program, which put up a cumulative term GPA of 3.565. Going back to the end of their 2019 season, four players on the volleyball squad netted All-Academic honors from the West Coast Conference. In a very-close second is the women's tennis team, posting a 3.513 grade point average. Rounding out the top-three is one of the programs that is currently in the middle of their winter season: women's basketball, with a 3.492.
 
"I am extremely proud of the efforts put in by our student-athletes," Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Matoso stated. "The rigors in the daily life of our student-athletes are intense, but they continue to show that work off the court, off the field, and in the classroom is the foundation for success in their respective sports."
 
#GaelsRise