Student athletes score high in classroom
While Purdue Calumet student-athletes strive to succeed on playing courts, fields and courses, they also have been successful in the classroom.
Last spring, our student-athletes recorded the highest cumulative grade point average (3.08) in Purdue Calumet athletic history. The GPA is nearly one-half point higher than that of the average mark of Purdue Calumet’s overall student body (2.62).
“I’m not surprised; the direction has been set for many years,” Interim Athletic Director John Friend said. “When I retired (in 2001) we were successful academically, but it wasn’t a point of emphasis.”
Men’s tennis team sets pace
The men’s tennis team led the way with an average squad member GPA of 3.59. Also surpassing the 3.0 mark were: women’s tennis (3.58), women’s basketball (3.42) and volleyball (3.08).
Of Purdue Calumet’s 71 student-athletes, 69 percent achieved a GPA higher than the average GPA of non-athlete, full time-enrolled students on campus while also carrying a higher than average course load.
Sixty-two percent of our student-athletes also earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher last fall.
Preparing for life after athletics
“We are very proud of the effort that our student-athletes put in the classroom this semester,” Assistant Director of Health, Fitness and Sports Jordon Bruner said. “Our athletic department — from the administration to the coaches — has stressed the importance that academic success can have on the preparation for one’s professional life after collegiate athletics.”
Additionally, a dozen Purdue Calumet student-athletes earned academic all-conference honors, with five also named Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athletes during the 2011-12 academic year.
