UK Athletics Tops 3.0 GPA for 11th Straight Semester

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 5, 2018) — University of Kentucky Athletics again topped its goal of a 3.0 department-wide grade-point average during the fall semester of 2017.

Scholarship Wildcats earned a cumulative GPA of 3.118, marking the 11th straight semester above 3.0 and fifth straight above 3.1. The high marks come on the heels of a spring semester in which UK had a GPA of 3.178.

“I would like to commend our students for another successful semester in the classroom,” Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. “I continue to be impressed by the way they balance the pursuit of their goals as athletes with their pursuit of a world-class education at our university.”

Eighteen of UK’s 20 teams earned GPAs of better than 3.0, the department goal established as part of Barnhart’s Elite 1-3-5 initiative. Of those 18, seven topped 3.5. Leading the way is the volleyball team at 3.620, closely followed by women’s cross country (3.591), women’s swimming and diving (3.586), men’s golf (3.577), men’s cross country (3.535), men’s swimming and diving (3.510), and gymnastics (3.503).

The volleyball team’s high GPA is particularly impressive, as it comes during the same semester in which the team made history on the court. The Wildcats claimed their first Southeastern Conference title in 29 years before advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time in the 64-team era of the NCAA Tournament.

“Championship teams differentiate themselves by the way they pursue excellence in everything they do,” Barnhart said. “Our volleyball team is proof of that. Their commitment in competition and in the classroom is a reflection of what it will take for us to reach our goals of becoming one of the nation’s elite athletics departments in all facets.”

UK’s academic success also continues to yield college graduates. With the 38 current and former Wildcats who participated in December commencement exercises, more than 110 Wildcats have graduated during the 2017 calendar year. Last month, UK once again broke a school record in the NCAA Graduation Success Rate and tied another in the Federal Graduation Rate.

“The progress our students make every day toward earning a diploma is a point of great pride for us,” Barnhart said. “I am grateful to our coaches and staff for embracing that and appreciative of the support our CATS (Center for Academic and Tutorial Services) counselors and tutors give every day.”