May 21, 2015
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The goals of the 15 by 15 by 15 Plan might have already been met, but the Wildcats aren’t slowing down in the classroom.
For the sixth semester in a row and seventh time in eight semesters, University of Kentucky athletes have combined to achieve a 3.0 department-wide grade-point average.
Scholarship Wildcats had a cumulative grade-point average of 3.075 for the spring semester of 2015.
“Success in the classroom remains an important part of our mission to develop our students in all facets of life,” UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. “I want to congratulate our students for their work in the classroom this semester and for the way they manage the demanding schedules that come with competing at the highest level of collegiate athletics.”
Fifteen of UK’s 20 teams reached the 3.0 threshold set as part of both the 15 by 15 by 15 Plan and the new 1-3-5 initiative unveiled at the CATSPY Awards in April. The women’s tennis team, which reached the NCAA Tournament this month, led all teams with a 3.591 GPA and was closely followed by volleyball (3.563), women’s swimming and diving (3.516), and women’s cross country (3.509). Men’s soccer led all men’s teams with a 3.371 GPA.
Of the 14 teams that completed the championship portions of their schedules during the spring semester, 11 posted GPAs of 3.0 or better. Additionally, 61 current and former Wildcats graduated as part of UK’s spring commencement.
“From coaches to our students to our staff, everyone has embraced our commitment to academics,” Barnhart said. “I also want to say a special thank you to our CATS (Center for Academic and Tutorial Services) counselors and tutors for the amazing work they do in giving our student-athletes the tools they need to succeed.”
