Outstanding academic performances by athletes set standard during spring semester at FAMU

Special to the Outlook

FAMU student-athletes turned in another outstanding performance, achieving the highest recorded GPA in the department’s history for the second consecutive semester (fall term GPA was 3.03). Rattler student-athletes posted a combined grade point average of 3.30, and 44 student-athletes finished the spring semester with a GPA of 4.0.

“We are extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes and staff for our academic successes considering all of the adversity our program has faced during this time,” said athletic director Kortne Gosha. “Our student-athletes have been tasked with winning on the competition surface, in the community, and most importantly in the classroom.”

 Here are some of the highlights of the semester:

The overall cumulative GPA of Rattler student-athletes stands at 3.13

Forty-four student-athletes earned a perfect 4.00 GPA for the semester

Twenty-nine student-athletes also received their degrees during the spring virtual commencement

Women’s basketball and women’s bowling earned highest term GPA at 3.57

Men’s cross country achieved the men’s sport highest GPA of 3.47

Women’s tennis boasted the highest cumulative GPA at 3.38

Athletic Director Kortne Gosha praised FAMU student-athletes for turning high grades last semester, despite the odds they faced.
Photo courtesy FAMU athletics

“I am extremely proud of our student athletes for the way that they have been able to remain focused on their academic studies during these trying times,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maurice D. Edington. “I also want to commend the leadership and staff in our athletics program, and our outstanding faculty, for providing the necessary support and encouragement that allowed our student athletes to excel in the classroom.”

 The outcome is the result of the university’s commitment to academic and athletic excellence, it said in a news release. 

  “Thanks to dedication of our student-athletes; the department had a very successful spring semester academically,” said Michelle Harper, associate athletic director for student-athlete Welfare and Competitive Excellence.  “I am so proud of all the hard work they were able to accomplish in these unprecedented times.  Our goal is to continue our upward journey of academic success in the classroom and community.”

 Athletic Academic Advisor Carrie Tollison also took notice of the accomplishment.

“I am incredibly proud of the successful semester that our student-athletes had,” Tollison said. “Through the chaos that spring brought, they still rose to the occasion for a record breaking semester. I look forward to the ongoing success in the future.”

 Keeping the student-athletes on track academically was one of the major responsibilities of Kentrell Kearney, athletic director for compliance and diversity.

“I’m very proud of our student-athletes for achieving a 3.30 departmental GPA,” Kearney said. “They have worked extremely hard and maintained a high commitment to their studies throughout the academic year, especially during the transition to remote learning this spring. Keep Striking Rattlers!”