Courtesy of Norfolk State Athletic Communications


NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State University Athletics Department recorded an all-time high NCAA graduation success rate (GSR) of 75 percent when the national organization released its annual data this week.

The 75-percent rate, which measures student-athletes who enrolled at the University in 2013, is an increase of four percentage points over last year's report. It also marked the fourth consecutive year in which the Spartans recorded an increase.

The NCAA Division I Board of Directors created the GSR in 2002 in response to Division I college and university presidents who wanted data that more accurately reflected the mobility of college students beyond what the federal graduation rate measures. The GSR formula removes from the rate student-athletes who leave school while academically eligible and includes student-athletes who transfer to a school after initially enrolling elsewhere. This calculation provides a more accurate appraisal of student-athlete success than the federal graduation rate.

"We are pleased to see the demonstrated commitment of our student-athletes to excel academically, which is reflected in the highest GSR scored by NSU Athletics," Athletics Director Melody Webb said. "This continued improvement also demonstrates the commitment of our University and athletics administration to helping our student-athletes succeed."

The news is further affirmation of the Spartans' recent success in the classroom. A record 189 student-athletes earned Athletics Director's Honor Roll accolades in the spring for having a semester GPA of 3.0 or higher. The department's cumulative GPA is 3.04, which is also a high-water mark for the program.