Illinois State Student-Athletes Set Record with 90% NCAA Graduation Success Rate

INDIANAPOLIS – The latest NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report released Wednesday indicates a record 90 percent graduation rate for Illinois State student-athletes, an increase of two percentage points from the previous all-time high of 88, which has been achieved in the previous three-consecutive years.

Thirteen of 15 Redbird teams recorded a GSR greater than the national average in their respective sport. Nine teams achieved perfect 100 percent GSR rates including: men's golf, women's golf, men's tennis, women's tennis, gymnastics, women's basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball. Additionally, the 90-percent rate earned overall is two percentage points higher than the national average for all NCAA Division I institutions.

"Redbird student-athletes continue to do amazing things," Senior Associate Athletics Director Cindy Harris said. "We are fortunate to have so many student-athletes with a drive and passion for success in the classroom that matches their drive and passion for success in their sport. They achieve at high levels in all aspects of their life and we are very proud of that. A record graduation rate like this is only achieved with a tremendous team effort from the many committed individuals who support our student-athletes including coaches, faculty and academic advisors at Illinois State."

The data released today reflects graduation numbers from student-athletes who received athletic scholarships and entered Illinois State in 2009-10 through 2012-13. This year marks the 29th release of institutional graduation rates since Federal Student "right-to-know" legislation was passed in 1990. In 2005, the NCAA Division I Committee on Academic Performance implemented the initial release of the GSR to more accurately assess the academic success of student-athletes. 

"College athletes continue to meet and exceed the benchmarks set for academic achievement," NCAA President Mark Emmert said.  "They have surpassed the original goal by nearly 10 percentage points, a phenomenal achievement that highlights the commitment these students have to succeed in all areas of life."

For more information, visit: http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/di-student-athletes-graduate-record-high-rates

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