LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell has once again surpassed the Division I Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 90% by attaining a 93% rate, according to the announcement made by the NCAA on Wednesday. This GSR is based on the 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16, and 2014-15 freshman classes, and gives each class a maximum of six years to graduate at UMass Lowell.
"Our River Hawks embody the true meaning of being student-athletes," said Director of Athletics Lynn Coutts. "They strive for the same level of excellence on the playing surface as they do in the classroom, and I am beyond proud of their efforts. I also want to thank our academic staff and our coaches, who work tirelessly to ensure that every UMass Lowell student-athlete has the support that they need."
The GSR calculates graduation rates for a Division I athletic department's first-time freshmen and mid-year entrants, as well as transfer student-athletes who received athletics aid. The GSR subtracts students from the entering cohort who are considered allowable exclusions and those who left the institution prior to graduation, if they had athletics eligibility remaining and would have been academically eligible to compete had they returned to the institution.
UMass Lowell has maintained or exceeded the 90% GSR benchmark for the last ten consecutive years. In addition, the single-year GSR for the 2017-18 cohort has risen to 98%.
"Our student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom and live the meaning of the term student-athlete," echoed Alison Quandt Westgate, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Excellence. "We are proud of their continued success."
Overall across the NCAA, the Division I student-athlete GSR average is 90%. Nationally, all subgroups are at or near their highest levels ever.
For the 2014- 2017 cohorts, UMass Lowell has the fourth highest GSR among the nine America East Conference institutions. In Hockey East, the River Hawks lead the way with a perfect 100% GSR. In addition to the ice hockey program, five other UMass Lowell teams boast a perfect score of 100%, including women's cross country, field hockey, softball, women's soccer and women's track & field.
