University of Tennessee Athletics
UT Student-Athletes Post Academic Records
May 22, 2015 | General
By Brian Rice
UTSports.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee student-athletes posted another record semester in the classroom for Spring 2015, continuing a steady rise in academic performance across the athletic program at UT.
Volunteer student-athletes posted a 3.04 overall GPA, the second-highest overall GPA in Tennessee history and the fifth-consecutive semester at 3.0 or higher. A record 268 student-athletes, a number that represents 60 percent of the total student-athlete population, finished with a 3.0 or better.
"I couldn't be prouder of what's going on," said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Dave Hart. "That goes to the coaches, because academics is a priority, it's not lip service, it's why they're here, to earn a degree and pursue their dreams. I think Dr. Joe Scogin has been a difference-maker with his role without question."
10 sports earned team GPAs of 3.0 or higher and two sports, women's golf and men's basketball, set program records. The 3.66 team GPA for the women's golf team was the highest team GPA for any team at Tennessee since the Thornton Center began tracking the data 12 years ago.
"I continue to be impressed and amazed at the academic accomplishments of our student-athletes," said Scogin, Senior Associate Athletic Director, Assistant Provost and Director of the Thornton Center. "They continue to challenge themselves to attain championship level results in each aspect of their lives at UT. These results show their commitment to the academic endeavors in front of them."
It was another record term for the Tennessee football program as well. The Volunteers posted a school-record 2.85 GPA, with 52 football student-athletes finishing with a 3.0 GPA or better, another record.
"It speaks volumes for everyone within our football family and our organization," said Butch Jones. "I'm so proud of all of our players' academic excellence. We've said it and will continue to say it and live it every day, academics are at the forefront of our football program."
Eight of the 10 mid-term enrollees that graduated high school early to join the program in January finished their first semester with a 3.0 or above.
"I think it speaks to the individuals that we are recruiting and bringing into our football program," Jones said. "We want champions on the field, we want champions off the field. For these individuals to me making the transition from high school a semester early and to have a 3.0 or above, I'm very excited for them."
110 Tennessee student-athletes were named to the Dean's Lists in their respective colleges, 12 of those football players.
"There's evidence behind everything we've been talking about," said Jones. "We are in a result-oriented world, whether it's on the field of off the field, everything is very important. Dr. Joe Scogin and the entire Thornton Center staff have done such a great job of mentoring and guiding and holding our players and coaching staff to a high level of accountability and responsibility."
10 teams, men's basketball, women's basketball, football, men's golf, women's golf, softball, soccer, men's swimming and diving, women's tennis and volleyball recorded team GPAs higher than spring 2014.
Women's cross country and women's tennis posted perfect Academic Progress Rate scores, while women's basketball, softball and volleyball earned perfect 100 percent Graduation Success Rates.
Lady Vol basketball's Cierra Burdick was named a University of Tennessee Torchbearer, just the 25th student-athlete to receive the honor. Allie Sirna of the soccer program was awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, while rower Sarah McAuliffe earned an NCAA Ethnic Minority & Women's Enhancement Scholarship
"Many people are aware of the great pride they have when representing this institution in the competitive arena," Scogin said. "They don't always get the recognition for the pride they take in representing this great institution in the classroom and community. We have amazing student-athletes and our Thornton Center team is honored to be able to work alongside them each and every day."
Tennessee Student-Athlete GPAs, 2015 Spring Semester
| Sport | Spring 2015 | Spring 2014 | Spring 2013 | Spring 2015 3.00+ GPA |
Spring 2015 Dean's List |
| Baseball | 2.99 | 3.00 | 2.89 | 22 | 5 |
| Men's Basketball | 2.75 | 2.27 | 2.63 | 6 | 0 |
| Women's Basketball | 3.12 | 2.90 | 2.80 | 8 | 5 |
| Football | 2.85 | 2.62 | 2.80 | 52 | 12 |
| Men's Golf | 3.45 | 3.18 | 3.37 | 7 | 4 |
| Women's Golf | 3.66 | 3.33 | 2.84 | 8 | 5 |
| Rowing | 3.14 | 3.31 | 3.37 | 35 | 17 |
| Soccer | 3.49 | 3.29 | 3.13 | 23 | 15 |
| Softball | 3.21 | 3.11 | 3.07 | 12 | 8 |
| Men's Swimming & Diving | 3.18 | 2.93 | 3.17 | 19 | 11 |
| Women's Swimming & Diving | 3.38 | 3.44 | 3.30 | 25 | 10 |
| Men's Tennis | 2.96 | 3.15 | 3.08 | 6 | 3 |
| Women's Tennis | 3.49 | 3.43 | 3.54 | 7 | 4 |
| Men's Track & Field | 2.96 | 3.06 | 2.83 | 18 | 4 |
| Women's Track & Field | 2.98 | 3.29 | 3.20 | 11 | 5 |
| Volleyball | 3.16 | 3.14 | 3.58 | 9 | 2 |
| OVERALL | 3.04 | 3.03 | 3.05 | 268 | 110 |
Football's 2.85 GPA indicates 2015 spring scholarship roster; full spring roster GPA was 2.81.
