Little Rock sets program best in GPA

LITTLE ROCK — Continuing to add to its legacy in the classroom as well as in competition, University of Arkansas at Little Rock athletics finished the fall 2017 semester with a cumulative 3.3 grade point average among its nearly 200 student-athletes, a new high for the athletic department.

It marks the second-straight semester the Trojans have set a record for combined GPA among its 12 athletic programs, besting the 3.27 cumulative GPA set in the spring 2017 semester.

“I could not be more proud of the grit and hard work our student- athletes continue to demonstrate in the classroom,” said Chasse Conque, director of athletics Chasse Conque. “We have enjoyed academic success at Little Rock for many years, but setting GPA records in backto-back semesters speaks volumes about our even stronger commitment to the classroom. Our young people, our coaches and Senior Woman Adminis- trator Molly Castner should be commended for their dedication as we continue to graduate champions.”

Seven of the Trojans’ 12 athletic programs finished the fall

2017 semester with at least a 3.0 GPA as 135 Trojan student-athletes posted a 3.0 or better. With the performance in the fall, Little Rock’s student-athletes have posted a department-wide GPA above 3.0 for the 11th-straight semester.

Women’s golf once again led the way, posting a 3.76 GPA during the fall and holds a 3.7 cumulative grade point average. Soccer’s 3.7 GPA ranked second as both programs achieved impressive results during their competition season, seeing a combined 29 student-athletes eclipse the 3.0 mark.

Men’s golf also had a strong showing during their competition season with a 3.44 GPA during the fall, aided by six players with better than a 3.0, followed by swimming and diving’s

3.37 and baseball’s 3.35 GPAs. The two teams had the most total number of student-athletes above a 3.0 GPA, led by 30 from swimming and diving and 28 from baseball.

Women’s basketball finished the fall semester with a team GPA of 3.14 with volleyball adding a 3.11 GPA as nine players from each squad ending the fall semester with a 3.00 or better.

With the fall semester in the books, nine Trojan programs have a team cumulative GPA of

3.0 or higher, led by women’s golf’s 3.70. Soccer ranks second at 3.60 followed by swimming and diving, 3.47, and volleyball,

3.41. Baseball, 3.39; men’s golf,

3.38; women’s basketball, 3.09; and women’s track and field and cross country, 3.03; round out the list.

Academic performance continues to be a major priority for the Little Rock athletic department as the Trojans also boast a graduation success rate of 81 percent, leading all Division I programs in the state of Arkansas for the fifth-straight season.