Wildcats Top 3.0 GPA for 13th Consecutive Semester

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 9, 2019) — University of Kentucky Athletics has reached its goal of a department-wide grade-point average of 3.0 or better for the 13th consecutive semester. Wildcat student-athletes on scholarship posted a cumulative GPA of 3.087 in the fall semester that just ended.

“We are proud of another solid semester of academic work by our student-athletes,” Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. “The consistency in effort and dedication it has taken to surpass a 3.0 GPA for these last 13 semesters is a credit to our student-athletes and those who support them, from coaches to the counselors and tutors of CATS (Center for Academic and Tutorial Services).”

Seventeen of UK’s 20 teams earned GPAs above 3.0, which is the goal set as part of Barnhart’s Elite 1-3-5 initiative. Five teams had GPAs above 3.5, led by the men’s golf team at 3.739. Joining the men’s golf team above 3.5 were women’s swimming and diving (3.641), the Southeastern Conference champion volleyball team (3.593), women’s golf (3.504) and men’s cross country (3.500).

“The ability to find success and discipline in the classroom has proven to be a great predictor of success in competition and in life,” Barnhart said. “We will continue to pursue that by making education core to our mission as an athletics department.”

High marks in the classroom have yielded degrees, as 28 current and former Wildcats from 11 teams graduated as part of commencement ceremonies at UK in December. That followed May commencement ceremonies that brought diplomas for 61 Wildcats. Additionally, UK student-athletes broke school records in the NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate and Federal Graduation Rate in November.

“We continue to use GPA and semester-by-semester success in the classroom as building blocks toward graduation,” Barnhart said. “In turn, graduation serves as a foundation for a career and productive life as leaders in our community. Those are important aspects of the transformational experience we provide to our student-athletes during their time as Wildcats.”