The NCAA released its annual Graduation Success Rate (GSR) data for incoming student-athletes from 2009-12 on Wednesday, and the scores for Canisius’ student-athletes are the highest since the NCAA began issuing the report in 1998. Golden Griffin student-athletes covered during the most recent report graduated at a 94 percent rate, up one percent from last year’s report, which was the previous high for the College’s athletic department.
Additionally, the NCAA’s national GSR average for this year’s reporting range is up to 89 percent.
The Graduation Success Rate measures graduation rates for student-athletes by team. The GSR considers student-athletes who are on scholarship their first year and who graduate from their respective universities or leave their programs, via transfer to other universities or for professional opportunities, while in good academic standing. A complete and searchable Graduation Rates Report is available online at NCAA.org.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for our student-athletes and it is a terrific example of what our students can accomplish when they chose to attend Canisius,” Director of Athletics Bill Maher said. “Being a student-athlete at Canisius University demands a difficult balance of time, effort and energy, both in the classroom and in the athletic venue. We are grateful for the support and assistance our student-athletes continue to receive from the faculty, our coaches and our academic support staff.”
The data shows that 13 of the Canisius’ 16 varsity programs matched or exceeded the national average (89 percent) for their respective GSR scores. Ten Canisius programs recorded perfect 100 percent graduation rates: men’s cross country/track, golf, hockey, men’s swimming and diving, women’s basketball, women’s cross country/track, rowing, women’s soccer, women’s swimming and diving and volleyball.
ABOUT THE NCAA's GRADUATION SUCCESS RATE:
The NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) is designed to show the proportion of student-athletes on any given team who earn a college degree. The NCAA has imposed a new set of academic standards that seeks to hold teams and institutions accountable for how well a student-athlete progresses toward a degree.
