Iowa
State University


7-17-97

Contacts:

Tom Kroeschell, Athletic Media Relations, (515)294-3404

IOWA STATE STUDENT-ATHLETE GRADUATION RATE LEADS BIG 12 CONFERENCE

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State's 62 percent student-athlete graduation rate for individuals who entered ISU as part of the 1990-91 freshman class is the highest figure in the Big 12 Conference. The Cyclones' 61 percent graduation rate average for four freshman classes between the 1987-88 and 1990-91 academic years also leads the Big 12. It is the second straight season in which Iowa State led the conference in both categories, based on figures released by the NCAA.

Student-athletes who entered ISU between the 1983-84 and 1990-91 school years and stayed in school until their collegiate eligibility was exhaused graduated at a Big 12- best mark of 90 percent.

"I think these figures underscore the effort we have made to provide the best environment for our student-athletes to succeed in the classroom," Iowa State athletic director Gene Smith said. "Our performance has been consistent over a considerable period of time. We will continue to work to ensure that our student-athletes are given the best chance to make their mark at Iowa State and after graduation."

The 62 percent six-year graduation rate for ISU student- athletes who were a part of the 1990-91 freshman class is slightly higher than the overall university mark of 60 percent. The student-athlete figure is up from 59 percent last year.

The six-year rate for female ISU student-athletes (73 percent) is higher than the all-university women's average of 63 percent. ISU female student-athletes graduated at a six- year figure of 79 percent last year.

The six-year graduation rate for ISU male student- athletes entering ISU for the 1990-91 academic year was 57 percent, up from 49 percent last year. The rate was 59 percent two years ago. The latest all-university men's graduation rate was 58 percent.

The football student-athlete six-year graduation rate rose for the fifth straight year, increasing one point to 64 percent. That figure leads the Big 12 Conference. The six- year mark was 54 percent two years ago.

Three men's basketball student-athletes, Donnell Bivins, Saun Jackson and Skip McCoy, entered ISU for the 1990-91 school year. Bivins and Jackson graduated. McCoy transferred to New Mexico State in good academic standing. ISU's men's basketball graduation rate is 67 percent because the NCAA does not count transfers toward a school's graduation rate even if that individual goes on to earn a degree at a new institution.
"These figures are in part a reflection of excellent instruction students receive from the Iowa State faculty," Smith said. "We have worked to build up our student-athlete services program and these figures reflect that effort. We don't have an intense focus on yearly numbers. At Iowa State, we focus on each individual's academic and athletic progress and I think that is why we fare so well relative to our peer institutions."

Big 12 Conference Graduation Rates (Source: NCAA)

1990-91 Freshman Student-Athlete Rate
1. IOWA STATE
2. Nebraska
3. Baylor
4. Missouri
Texas
6. Kansas
7. Texas A&M
8. Texas Tech
Colorado
10. Kansas State
11. Oklahoma
12. Oklahoma State
62%
61%
60%
58%
58%
56%
53%
51%
51%
48%
46%
41%

Student-Athlete Four-Year Average (1987-1990)
1. IOWA STATE
2. Nebraska
3. Baylor
4. Kansas
5. Missouri
Texas
7. Texas A&M
Texas Tech
9. Kansas State
10. Colorado
11. Oklahoma
12. Oklahoma State
61%
60%
57%
55%
54%
54%
52%
52%
51%
50%
44%
43%

Six-Year Graduation Rate for 1990-91 Student-Athlete Freshman Who Exhausted Their Eligibility
1. IOWA STATE
2. Missouri
Nebraska
4. Oklahoma
Texas
6. Baylor
Kansas
8. Colorado
9. Texas Tech
10. Texas A&M
11. Oklahoma State
12. Kansas State
90%
86%
86%
80%
80%
79%
79%
78%
76%
74%
69%
41%
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URL: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~nscentral/releases/athgrad.html
Revised 7/16/97