By TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech's student-athletes delivered yet another highly successful performance in the classroom during the Fall 2021 semester, producing Golden Eagle Athletics' fifth-straight semester with a collective GPA of at least 3.20.
During the fall, Tech's 14 teams came together for a mark of 3.248, continually battling the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also represented the 26th straight semester that Tech Athletics' cumulative GPA exceeded the 3.0 plateau, a legacy that began in Spring 2009.
"Our student-athletes continue to impress me with their work ethic in the classroom and once again, it has translated to success with another spectacular cumulative GPA for the department," Tech Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Student Welfare Dr. Leveda Birdwell expressed. "This fall was a challenge for most of our student-athletes, with a lot of them experiencing a more traditional semester for the first time as young adults. They did so while still combatting the ups-and-downs associated with COVID-19 and I could not be more proud of how they continue to grow."
With each coaching staff providing endless support and the Tech Athletics Academic Advising Staff going above and beyond yet again, 11 of Tech's 14 teams reported GPA's above 3.0, while six teams saw improvement from their Spring 2021 grades.
"We definitely understand how challenging these past two years have been for so many of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff," said Tech Director of Athletics Mark Wilson. "It fills me with great pride to see the resiliency of our student-athletes to keep with it, continue to work hard, and push their limits both in the classroom and on their competitive playing fields. We are very grateful for Dr. Birdwell and her staff and the work they put forth to help our student-athletes strive to graduate with a championship ring on one hand and a diploma in the other. We owe a lot of gratitude to our University faculty and staff that teach our young men and women and provide so much support to our student-athletes as well."
The Golden Eagle women's basketball and soccer teams tied to lead all programs with matching GPAs of 3.599, the highest mark in the women's basketball program's history. Women's golf completed a robust top-three showing with a 3.538 GPA.
Volleyball continued its incredible streak of boasting a team GPA over 3.0, securing it's 43rd consecutive semester above the mark with a 3.509. Also keeping impressive streaks alive were soccer (36 straight), softball (35 straight), and both indoor and outdoor track and field (35 straight). The tennis team turned in a 3.292 GPA to make it 27 consecutive semesters above 3.0 while the women's cross country team reached its 19-straight semester and the women's golf team achieved its 17th semester in-a-row.
