UK Athletics posts 3.0 GPA for 20th straight semester

Your University of Kentucky Wildcats are getting it done in the classroom. For the 20th straight semester, UK Athletics surpassed its goal of a department-wide 3.0 grade point average (GPA). In the spring of 2022, Kentucky scholarship student-athletes achieved a combined 3.284 GPA. Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart first set the goal of a composite 3.0 GPA back in 2008 as part of his “15 x 15 x 15” plan. After four years, the athletic department reached it in the fall of 2012 and hasn’t dipped below the mark since.

“Ten years of 3.0 GPAs for our department is a remarkable achievement,” Barnhart said. “It’s a testament to the hard work and persistence of all those involved in the academic process – primarily, of course, our student-athletes, and also to the CATS (Center for Academic and Tutorial Services) staff for their guidance, support and encouragement, along with the emphasis our coaches place on academic success.
 
“In many ways, the last two years have brought challenges to college athletics that have never been seen. The many issues we face have not deterred us from our core mission, to educate young people and to earn victories in the arenas of competition.”

Individually, 430 Kentucky student-athletes achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher, including 121 who reached 4.0 for the semester. The women’s swimming and diving team posted the highest GPA among scholarship student-athletes, 3.765. Golf had the highest GPA of the men’s teams, posting a 3.617. The football team’s GPA was 2.795 among scholarship athletes and the men’s basketball team 2.676. The women’s basketball team finished with a 3.0 GPA.

Last week, a school-record 114 student-athletes graduated from the university. Kentucky finished No. 8 in the NACDA Directors’ Cup all-sports standings.

“The largest graduating class of student-athletes in our history is also among the most academically accomplished as reflected by 10 consecutive years – and 20 straight semesters – of a collective departmental grade-point average of 3.0 or higher, University President Dr. Eli Capilouto said. “Their accomplishment underscores the commitment of Director Barnhart and all those who support our student-athletes to helping prepare these young men and women to lead lives of meaning and purpose.”
 
“At the University of Kentucky, we care deeply about success on courts and playing fields across our campus, our Commonwealth and the country.  But we care even more about the success our students are prepared for when they leave our community.  These numbers and markers of progress and achievement compellingly reflect that commitment.”

Go Cats.

University of Kentucky – Spring 2022 Team GPA Report

Sport	Competing Scholarship	Competing Scholarship and Non-Scholarship
Baseball	3.558	3.690
Men’s Basketball	2.676	2.730
Women’s Basketball	3.000	2.969
Football	2.795	2.925
Men’s Golf	3.617	3.617
Women’s Golf	3.598	3.598
Gymnastics	3.621	3.508
Rifle	3.264	3.264
Men’s Soccer	3.485	3.491
Women’s Soccer	3.619	3.627
Softball	3.525	3.522
STUNT	3.268	3.136
Men’s Swimming and Diving	3.117	3.134
Women’s Swimming and Diving	3.765	3.754
Men’s Tennis	3.411	3.449
Women’s Tennis	3.193	3.119
Men’s Track	3.029	3.116
Women’s Track	3.207	3.110
Men’s Cross Country	3.456	3.533
Women’s Cross Country	3.580	3.573
Volleyball	3.385	3.443
Men’s Sports	3.105	3.179
Women’s Sports	3.477	3.389
Overall	3.284	3.285