U of U Boasts Highest Student Athlete Graduation Success Rate In P5
Oct 16, 2019, 12:06 PM | Updated: 12:12 pm
The Utah Utes mascot "Swoop" performs during the game between the Washington State Cougars and the Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah’s graduation success rate is the highest of any Power 5 school in the United States, according to newly released data from the NCAA.
With 94 percent of Ute student-athletes graduating within six years of enrolling at the institution this marks the second-highest rate in school history.
The high mark was 95 percent, which happened last year.
Very proud of the good work our student-athletes do in the classroom, and thank you to our coaches and academic staff for your care and dedication! https://t.co/oGselzTc1m
— Mark Harlan (@MarkHarlan_AD) October 16, 2019
“We are pleased with the results of the latest GSR report and proud of the work our student-athletes are doing in the classroom,” said Utah Athletics Director Mark Harlan.
“Graduation is the goal for all of our student-athletes and to have such outstanding success in that area is proof of their commitment and dedication. I also want to thank our coaches and academic staff for caring so profoundly about our student-athletes.”
The emphasis Utah puts on academic success for student-athletes was made clear when star running back Zack Moss chose to return for his senior season. One of the main reasons he gave was that he wanted to get his degree because he would be the first in his family to do so.
Time to cement my name. Let's do the damn thing 🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/ZqJTfGHegP
— ❌ (@PresMoss2) January 7, 2019
“I want to stay in school and finish my degree. I’ll be the first person in my family to get my degree and that is important to both my mom and to me. I also want to be a part of our team goals for next year and graduate with (high school teammates) Demari (Simpkins) and Tyler (Huntley),” Moss said.
Utah led or tied for the graduation success rate lead in football, men’s basketball, men’s tennis, gymnastics, soccer, women’s tennis and volleyball.
Notably, gymnastics and women’s tennis have had a perfect score every year since the graduation success rate has been tracked.
Whittingham’s football team has had their highest scores in the past two seasons, according to the school.
