Oct. 4, 2002
Moraga, CA - Saint Mary's College graduates its student-athletes at a higher rate than the other seven member institutions in the West Coast Conference, and in the top eight percent nationally, according to figures released by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on September 26.
According to the 2002 NCAA Graduation Report, which studies freshmen who entered four-year colleges and universities in 1995-96, 83 percent of Saint Mary's student-athletes graduated within six years. The men graduated at an 81 percent rate and the women graduated at a 100 percent rate. The national averages for all Division I-A schools were 53 percent and 70 percent, respectively.
Saint Mary's ranked 24th of the 308 NCAA member institutions - ranking in the top 7.7 percent. In addition to being ranked in first place among the WCC member institutions, Gael student-athletes also graduated at a higher rate in sport-by-sport comparisons, ranking first in men's basketball (100 percent) and first in women's basketball (100 percent).
According to the same report, Saint Mary's graduation rate for the four freshmen classes between 1992-93 and 1995-96 was 71 percent, third highest among WCC schools. The men graduated at a 68 percent rate and the women graduated at a 75 percent rate cumulatively for those four classes.
"These graduation rates reflect the continued academic success of our student-athletes," commented Mark Orr, Associate Athletic Director for Student Support Services. "With all the prestigious academic institutions in the West Coast Conference, it's an honor to be at the top of this year's graduation rates. It's a testament to the commitment of our faculty and coaching staff, to both the classroom and co-curricular experience, and the support we receive from the academic advising and achievement program available to all students on our campus."
This most recent data reinforce the fact that Saint Mary's College has a rich tradition of academic and athletic excellence. During the 2001-02 year, 15 Gael student-athletes were named to WCC All-Academic Teams and 169 student-athletes earned scholar-athlete status (minimum 3.20 GPA). With more than 350 student-athletes, 48 percent earned scholar-athlete status and 27 percent made the Dean's List (minimum 3.50 GPA).
The NCAA only includes student-athletes that receive athletic grants-in-aid in these data. A complete analysis of the NCAA's annual graduation rates report, including data from prior years, is available on the NCAA's web site at www.ncaa.org.
