U of A student-athletes set new record for graduation success

The University of Arkansas (U of A) has announced a new record for student-athlete graduation success rate (GSR).

The 2016 GSR was 78 percent, two percentage points higher than the previous record set in 2014 and 2015.

GSR tracks student-athletes' academic progress over four years and provides a snapshot of a program's academic success. Since its implementation in 2004, the GDR at U of A has risen from 60 percent to the record-high 78 percent.

"Nothing we do within intercollegiate athletics is more important than helping our student-athletes progress toward graduation," Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. "The remarkable progress of our student-athletes is not only evident in our record-breaking GSR, but most importantly in the more than 100 young men and women who are graduating from the University of Arkansas each year. I sincerely appreciate the hard work of our coaches and our student-athlete support staff in equipping student-athletes to succeed in their academic pursuits."

In addition to the record GSR, the student-athletes recorded a cumulative 3.23 GPA. Forty football student-athletes made the fall academic honor roll; and, in the past year alone, nearly 300 student-athletes reached the honor roll.

"Ultimately, though, it is the student-athletes themselves who make the choice to do what it takes to earn their degree," Long said. "Each year, more student-athletes are making that commitment and as a program we will continue to be here to assist them in reaching that life-changing goal."