For the past 37 semesters, Murray State University’s athletics department has consistently maintained a department-wide GPA of 3.0 or higher, a streak that began in the fall of 2004 and has continued across three decades. This achievement is the result of the hard work and dedication of 22 different academic recruiting classes, comprising a total of 199 student-athletes, or 60% of the department.
Women’s tennis led the way for Murray State in the fall of 2022, with a team GPA of 3.85, followed closely by women’s golf at 3.57 and men’s golf at 3.46. These impressive grades are a testament to the commitment of student-athletes to excellence in both athletics and academics, as well as the support of head coaches and the academic support staff.
In the fall of 2022, a total of 62 student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0 GPA, while 113 met Dean’s List eligibility requirements with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. These high-achieving students represent a broad range of sports, majors, and degree levels, and their success is a source of pride for the entire athletics department.
Director of Athletics Nico Yantko praised the student-athletes for their dedication to their education, saying, “They face great challenges in pursuing a world-class education while competing at the highest level of collegiate athletics, but these challenges help them prepare for a lifetime of success.” Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Support Services Matt Kelly added that “being a champion includes the classroom within all Racer programs.”
During the fall semester, Murray State student-athletes took 1,602 classes for grades, with 71% of those classes being passed with a grade of B or higher. This impressive success rate is a testament to the dedication of student-athletes to their studies and their commitment to achieving their academic and athletic goals.
Overall, Murray State University’s athletics department has much to be proud of, with its 37-semester streak of department-wide GPAs of 3.0 or higher and its high-achieving student-athletes. The department’s commitment to creating an experience that serves student-athletes from recruitment through retirement has clearly paid off, and it is likely that this streak of academic excellence will continue for many semesters to come.
