Record Levels: 'Cuse Sets New Graduation Success Rate Standard

For the second time in three years eight Syracuse University Athletics teams posted perfect 100 percent Graduation Success Rates (GSR) and the athletics department recorded a 93% GSR, which is the highest rate in history. The measurement reflects the class that enrolled in 2012-13 and graduated within six years. The NCAA started measuring the GSR, which also includes those who entered midyear, as well as student-athletes who transferred into the institution, in 2004.

Syracuse's women's lacrosse, volleyball and tennis teams have achieved a 100% GSR for the eighth consecutive year. In addition, men's cross country, men's track and field, women's rowing, men's lacrosse, and women's basketball all also achieved a 100% score.

"It is impressive how disciplined and committed the student-athletes are and this measurement demonstrates that," said Syracuse University Faculty Athletics Representative and David B. Falk Professor of Sport Management Rick Burton. "Athletics Director John Wildhack has made it imminently clear that our University's academic mission is the top priority for our administrators and student-athletes."

Syracuse's 93% GSR is above the national GSR of 89% and ties for 12th among Power 5 schools. Syracuse is one of six Atlantic Coast Conference schools ranked in the top 12 of the Power 5 schools this year.

"Our student-athletes wake up every day with ambition to work hard in school and in their sport," said Assistant Provost for Student-Athlete Academic Development Tommy Powell. "The support of the University and Athletics administrations and their coaches adds to their motivation for success."

The women's volleyball program has scored a perfect 100% GSR 10 times since the NCAA initiated the GSR in 2004. That is the highest total among Orange teams, followed by men's cross country, track and field, women's lacrosse, and women's tennis have each recorded 100% GSRs eight times.

Syracuse's GSR Success By the Numbers:

Power Five Ranking: Syracuse ties for 12th among Power 5 schools (93% GSR)
ACC: Syracuse is one of six Atlantic Coast Conference schools in the top 12 (Syracuse, Notre Dame, Duke, Wake Forest, Boston College, Virginia)
Teams with a 100% GSR in 2019: Eight (men's cross country, men's track & field, men's and women's lacrosse, women's rowing, women's tennis, women's volleyball, women's basketball)
Consecutive 100% GSR scores: 8 years (women's lacrosse, women's tennis, women's volleyball)
Most 100% GSR scores: Ten (women's volleyball)

The NCAA instituted the GSR to more accurately reflect the mobility of college students as compared to the Federal Graduation Rate. The federal rate counts any student who leaves a school as an academic failure, whether or not the student enrolls at another school. The federal rate also does not consider students who enter as transfer students. The GSR formula provides a more complete and accurate picture by removing from the rate student-athletes who leave school while academically eligible and including student-athletes who transfer to a school after being enrolled at another university.

The release of the GSR and the Federal Graduation Rate follow last spring's announcement of the impressive success of student-athletes as reflected in the University's Academic Progress Rate (APR).

Syracuse University Athletics

Record Levels: 'Cuse Sets New Graduation Success Rate Standard

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