Fall term, PSU's 295 student athletes posted a grade point average (GPA) of 3.41, just a hundredth point off the 3.42 best one-term average set last winter term… excluding spring of the 2020's COVID year (3.56) when all athletic activities were canceled. Learning was remote and PSU allowed increased use of Pass/No Pass options that year.
There were also a record 65 GPAs of 4.0 recorded last term, bettering the mark of 62 set last year.
"That's pretty good, especially when you consider that they have practices, competitions and travel to contend plus taking a minimum of 12 academic hours each term and trying to find time for some hobbies and a bit of social life," said Matt Billings, PSU Director of Athletics.
In fact, annual grade point averages for this cohort of students have improved steadily over the last 12 years, from 3.05 to 3.37, with men's basketball leading the way for improvement by a single sport, from 2.52 in the 2013-2014 academic year to 3.17 last year. It had a whopping 3.58 average GPA in the latest report.
Comparisons with other programs are difficult, said Libby Bisson, Assistant Athletic Director of Academic Services and head of the PSU student athletic academic advising team since 2019.
"But we do know that for the last few years, the Big Sky has named team academic champions, honoring the team in each sport with the highest GPA. For the last two years, our Women's Tennis team has won that honor and PSU's Women's Golf and Women's Track teams earned the top Big Sky academic honors prior to that.
Other big gainers over the 12 years were football, 2.87 for fall 2013 to 3.22 this fall; men's tennis, 2.87 to 3.78 and men's track, 2.88 to 3.32. All three sports also had individual terms at 3.0 or higher during that period.
Reasons for the improvement vary, according to Bisson and two Viking coaches.
"Some students are clearly more academically driven than others, we know all students can achieve academic success and we try to find them classes they can enjoy and be passionate about to make earning a degree enjoyable," said Bisson.
Head Women's Soccer Coach Maureen Whitney, a 25-year collegiate coaching veteran, thought coaches might be more selective about academic records in recruiting, especially since the NCAA tightened up academic rules for collegiate athletes. For some years, collegiate athletes have been required to continue advancing toward graduation during their five-year eligibility window and there have been penalties for schools losing too many recruited athletes before graduation.
Head Men's Basketball Coach Jase Coburn, a member of the Viking athletics' coaching staff since 2013, credited student effort as well as coaching. 'I think kids are working harder and there's more emphasis on academics by coaches," he said.
Bisson also believes coaching emphasis has helped make a difference.
"Having coaches who care about and prioritize academics absolutely makes a difference. We really appreciate all our coaches who check in with their athletes regarding their classes and help make sure they're doing well academically," said Bisson.
There are a number of factors contributing to the increase in athletic team GPAs, she said.
"I think it's a combination of selectivity and a combination of coaches and advisors working together to highlight the importance of academic as well as athletic success. We work together to support our athletes and make it possible for them to succeed. The advisors have been implementing new policies to hold students accountable and also finding new ways to recognize our students' academic success with events like our 4.0 Academic Recognition Nights," she said.
