ORANGEBURG, SC--South Carolina State Athletics reached another historic milestone in the classroom during the 2026 spring semester, recording the highest department-wide grade point average in school history with a 3.271 GPA.

Nearly 300 student-athletes combined to help South Carolina State Athletics achieve the record-breaking mark, with all 14 programs posting a team GPA of 3.0 or higher.

In addition, SC State celebrated one of its largest graduating classes in recent years with 50 student-athlete graduates, while 201 student-athletes earned cumulative GPAs between 3.0 and 4.0.

"We are extremely proud of the commitment our student-athletes continue to demonstrate both academically and athletically," said Director of Athletics Oliver "Buddy" Pough. "These accomplishments reflect the hard work, discipline, and dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, academic staff, and support personnel. Excelling in the classroom remains a major priority for our department."

On the men's side, men's tennis led the way with a 3.343 GPA, followed by men's basketball (3.179), football (3.136), men's indoor track (3.092), men's outdoor track (3.092), and men's cross country (3.002).

The women's programs continued to set the standard academically, led by women's tennis with an outstanding 3.850 GPA. Women's soccer followed with a 3.474 GPA, while women's cross country posted a 3.467. Women's volleyball earned a 3.368 GPA, followed by softball at 3.356. Women's indoor and outdoor track each recorded a 3.188 GPA, while women's basketball finished with a 3.064 GPA.

The historic semester continues a growing tradition of academic excellence for South Carolina State Athletics and highlights the department's ongoing commitment to developing champions in the classroom, in competition, and in the community.


ABOUT SC STATE ATHLETICS 
South Carolina State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 16 sports: women's golf2, women's bowling, women's volleyball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track & field, softball, men's and women's outdoor track and field, women's soccer and football with all teams competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), except for women's soccer. 
  
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