NCAA RELEASE

THIBODAUX, La. – The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) released its latest Division I graduation data and Nicholls State University Athletics posted a Graduation Success Rate of 83 percent - a three percent increase from last year's report.

The 83 percent ranked fourth among the Southland Conference members and was the second highest of the schools in the University of Louisiana System. Four Nicholls programs - men's golf, men's and women's tennis, and men's cross country and track and field - all had perfect 100 percent rates.

"To say that we are proud of our programs for their academic success would be an understatement, said Matt Roan, Nicholls Director of Athletics. "I appreciate the collective efforts of our coaches, staff, student-athletes, and faculty to make progress like this possible. Graduating student-athletes is our top priority and these statistics provide evidence." 

In comparison to the other schools in the Southland and USL, the Colonel men's cross country and track and field program was the only to achieve a perfect mark. Nicholls stood out in tennis as well as the only school with both men's and women's tennis at 100 percent. 

Ten of the 12 programs at Nicholls posted 80 percent or better, with four of the women's teams reporting at least 90 percent. Volleyball and women's basketball were at 92 percent while soccer and softball posted at 90.

When the Graduation Success Rate was created nearly two decades ago, then-NCAA President Myles Brand set an aspirational goal of 80%. Student-athletes first surpassed that goal with the release of the rates in 2011.

"College athletes continue to meet and exceed the benchmarks set for academic achievement," NCAA President Mark Emmert said. "They have surpassed the original goal by nearly 10 percentage points, a phenomenal achievement that highlights the commitment these students have to succeed in all areas of life."

The data released reflects the six-year graduation rates for college athletes who entered school in 2012.