Terps Lead ACC Public Institutions in Federal Grad Rate
11/10/2006 7:00:00 AM | Terrapin Athletics
Nov. 10, 2006
Dear Friends,
An article published in today's Baltimore Sun sports section significantly mischaracterized the latest NCAA graduation rates data for Maryland student-athletes, by not citing a number of key facts.
Because the academic progress of our student-athletes is a foundational tenet of our program, we feel an obligation to share the rest of the information with you.
FACTS NOT INCLUDED IN THE ARTICLE
1. The University of Maryland student-athlete graduation rate of 76%, cited in the NCAA Report, ranks 1st out of all 8 public ACC institutions.
2. The 76% graduation rate for student-athletes is the highest ever achieved at Maryland, since such records have been recorded by the NCAA.
3. The 76% graduation rate for Maryland student-athletes ranks 3rd overall out of all 12 ACC institutions.
Duke 91 Boston College 90 Maryland 76 Wake Forest 74 Virginia 74 North Carolina 73 Miami 68 Clemson 63 Virginia Tech 63 Florida State 57 NC State 56 Georgia Tech 544. The University of Maryland is tied for 1st out of all 12 ACC institutions, when comparing the difference between any institution's general student body graduation rate to its student-athlete graduation rate. Maryland's general student body graduation rate of 77%, compared to our student-athlete graduation rate of 76% is only a 1% difference.
5. All Division I male student-athletes in the country graduated at a rate of 56%. The Division I male general student body graduation rate is 58%. University of Maryland male student-athletes graduated at a rate of 67%, which is significantly higher than either the Division I male student-athlete population or the overall male student body rates.
6. The University of Maryland African-American male student-athlete graduation rate of 49% compares favorably to the national African-American male student-athlete rate of 48%. We are not, however, satisfied with our rate and will work with our coaches to develop new strategies to improve this graduation rate.
In addition to this information, Maryland has made significant strides in recent years in other important academic measurements.
1. Maryland was second only to UNC in the number of student-athletes who earned All-ACC Academic recognition in the 2005-06 school year. All other public institutions (6) were below us.
2. The University of Maryland student-athlete graduation rate has increased considerably over the last 8 years. In 1998 the rate was 51%, as compared to this year's rate of 76%.
3. In the 2005-2006 academic year, University of Maryland student-athletes reached a 3.0 semester GPA or higher 578 times. Also during this same period, the GPA of a perfect 4.0 was reached 62 times.
4. University of Maryland student-athletes have received 8 ACC Postgraduate scholarships in the past 3 years.
We believe that this information secured from the NCAA, from the ACC and from the Office of Institutional Research and Planning on our campus reflects accurately the overall, positive progress made by our staff, coaches and student-athletes in the important realm of academic achievement, with the excellent support of the University Athletics Council.
We are not yet where we hope to be in all statistical categories. But, we will strive to continue to make progress.
Please feel free to share this information as you determine appropriate. And know that we care deeply about the academic success of all of our student-athletes.
Go Terps!
Sincerely,
Deborah A. Yow
Director of Athletics
Dr. Charles Wellford
Faculty Athletics Representative
Anton Goff
Associate Director of Athletics
Academic Support and Career Development Unit
