North Columbus News

The Ohio State University's student-athletes have maintained their strong academic performance, as shown in the latest Graduation Success Rate (GSR) data released by the NCAA. The Buckeyes matched last year's school-best scores, achieving a single-year score of 94 and a four-year rolling score of 93.

The GSR was established by the NCAA in 2002 to provide a clearer understanding of student-athletes' academic completion rates. It includes mid-year, first-time enrollees and transfers. This year's report covers freshman cohorts from 2014-15 to 2017-18.

"Last year, Ohio State posted all-time highs in both the single-year (94) and multiyear (93) GSR scores," said Faculty Athletics Representative John E. Davidson. "By matching those scores this year, our student-athletes showed that they hold this high achievement to be our standard."

Thirteen programs achieved a perfect GSR of 100: artistic swimming, women’s cross country/track and field, men’s fencing, women’s fencing, field hockey, men’s golf, women’s golf, women’s lacrosse, rifle, women’s soccer, men’s tennis, women’s tennis and men’s volleyball.

Additionally, ten programs recorded GSR scores of 90 or better: baseball, men’s cross country/track and field, women’s ice hockey, men’s lacrosse, women’s rowing, men’s soccer, softball, men’s swimming and diving, women’s swimming and diving and wrestling.

"Coaches recruit with the rigors of academics at Ohio State firmly in mind," Davidson stated. "They deserve credit for creating team cultures that emphasize educational success as part of overall athletic success. The academic support staff in SASSO does a marvelous job of supporting that success but ultimately the dedication of these remarkable student-athletes drives it all."

Overall improvements were seen across many teams with eleven out of sixteen men's teams and twelve out of fifteen women's teams improving or maintaining their GSRs. Thirteen men's teams and fifteen women's teams improved or maintained their single-year scores.

For the third consecutive year, the football program achieved its best score ever with an 89 surpassing last year's record of 87.