Wednesday, November 14, 2018

PORTLAND, Ore. – Student-athletes from Great Northwest Athletic Conference institutions continue to excel academically according to the latest data released Wednesday by the NCAA.

The GNAC’s federal graduation and academic success rates for freshmen student-athletes who entered college from 2008 to 2011 ranked among the top 10 conferences in Division II for the eighth straight year.  Among the 24 conferences in Division II, the GNAC ranked tied for seventh with a 61 percent federal graduation rate and tied for eighth with a 77 percent academic success rate.

The graduation rate data is based on a six-year cohort prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education.

The academic success rate differs from the graduation data in that it accounts for the outcomes of student-athletes who transfer from one institution to another. The Division II academic success rate also measures outcomes for student-athletes who are not receiving athletically related financial aid, a unique metric among NCAA divisions.

The GNAC’s federal graduation rate is four points higher than the overall rate for Division II student-athletes and 11 points higher than the rate for the general student body at Division II institutions. Seven of the GNAC’s sports saw year-over-year increases in federal graduation rates and nine sports showed year-over-year increases in academic success rates.

“Once again, academic data released by the NCAA reflects the ongoing commitment GNAC institutions make to student-athletes to help ensure their success off the field of play,” said Dave Haglund, GNAC commissioner.  “Maintaining a healthy balance between academics and athletics is foundational to the Division II experience, and GNAC coaches and administrators can take pride in the success being shown by their student-athletes.”