March 18, 2010

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - An annual report by the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at Central Florida measured graduation rates of the 65 teams in this year's NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The figures used are graduation success rate numbers and are based on freshmen who entered college between 1999-2000 and 2002-03.

Despite the GSR in men's basketball of eight percent, the recent profile at Maryland is significantly improved over the outdated graduation rates. Eleven of the 12 freshmen and transfers measurable by the GSR in that window left the University prior to graduating to pursue professional basketball careers. One of the players who left early to play professionally returned to graduate from Maryland, but outside the NCAA's six-year window.

Eight of our last 10 seniors have earned their degrees, and all four seniors in this year's class are expected to graduate this spring.

The significant resources that the Athletics Department have placed in academic support are paying dividends and are a great investment in the future of our student-athletes.