Mounties Put the 'Student' in Student Athlete
LA GRANDE, Ore. -The Eastern Oregon University Athletic Department released the Fall 2008 academic report for its sports teams today. Each term academic progress of Mountaineer student athletes is tracked by Dr. Jeff Dense, who serves as the Faculty Athletic Representative for the Eastern Oregon University Department of Athletics.
The cumulative GPA for women’s athletic teams for fall term was 3.16 compared to 3.27 for female non- athletes. The cumulative GPA for men’s athletic teams was 2.81 compared to 3.14 for male non-athletes. 11.3 % of male athletes and 23.5% of female athletes achieved Dean’s list status. An individual must have a minimum of 12 graded credits and earn a GPA of 3.50 or above to be named to the Dean’s list.
“Through the Department of Athletics Strategic Planning we have set some measurable targets related to academic achievement” stated Rob Cashell, Director of Athletics. “We are encouraged by the numbers that indicate that our student –athletes are performing at a high level overall academically.”
The department benchmarks include a team GPA of 3.0 or higher, 10% or more team members on the Dean’s List and less than 10% of team members in academic peril. Academic peril includes academic warning, probation or suspension.
Overall, four athletic teams met all three benchmarks. One team met two marks and every team achieved at least one benchmark.
In addition, thirteen student athletes were recognized as Cascade Conference Fall sport scholars. To earn recognition as a CCC scholar-athlete, a student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 and sophomore standing. The football program, which competes in the Frontier Conference, had twenty one individuals recognized as Academic All-Conference student athletes. To be honored in the Frontier Conference students must be of sophomore standing, maintain a GPA of 3.0 and participate in at least one half of the contests.
Complete listing of team GPA’s for Fall Term 2008
Women’s Basketball- 3.33
Women’s Track and Field- 3.25
Softball- 3.2
Volleyball- 3.1
Women’s Cross Country- 3.05
Men’s Cross Country- 2.92
Women’s Soccer- 2.89
Football- 2.83
Men’s Track and Field- 2.83
Men’s Basketball- 2.82