SMU Shines In NCAA Graduation Success Rates

[PonyPride]

SMU Shines In NCAA Graduation Success Rates
Ten Of 15 SMU Programs Score Perfect 100s Sept. 28, 2006

INDIANAPOLIS (NCAA/SMU) - Ten of SMU's 15 athletic programs scored a perfect 100 percent in the NCAA Graduation Success Rates (GSR) released by the organization this week. In addition, all 15 of SMU's programs rated by the NCAA were equal to or better than the national average.

The programs that scored 100 percent were men's and women's swimming, golf and tennis, cross country and track, crew and women's soccer.

"We have set a top-25 standard for SMU Athletics and that extends to the academic successes of our student-athletes," said SMU Director of Athletics Steve Orsini. "Having all of our teams post GSRs at or above the national average - and 10 to score perfect 100s - shows our dedication to academic achievement and is a tribute to our student-athletes, coaches and SMU's academic support staff."

While SMU sponsors 17 sports, the NCAA issues a GPR for 15 of its programs, combining track and cross country into one program and not rating SMU's equestrian program.

The GSR is a different measure than the graduation rate previously used by the NCAA. The GSR is an NCAA measurement that improves on the federally-mandated graduation-rate by including transfer data in the calculation. It was developed in response to college and university presidents who wanted graduation data that more accurately reflect the mobility among students in today's higher education climate. It does not count against any institution those individuals who matriculate and then leave while eligible, but does give credit for those who transfer into the institution and ultimately earn a degree.

The data is from the four-class aggregate of entering classes from 1996 through 1999, for which the NCAA has compiled sport-by-sport GSR and the comparable graduation rate using the federally-mandated methodology.

[Water Pony]

Thanks, Pride,

Despite the idea that we should lower our performance in order to improve on the field, this is a very good thing.

The trend is to improve graduation. We know how to do it and recruits will value what we value, e.g. the road less traveled.

It may be hard to see now, but time is on our side and college sports will need to conform to these standards over time. Texas will come along reluctantly, but they too will change.