The number of UIC student-athletes earning high marks in the classroom continues to grow, after Fall 2018 grades were reported.
Forty-seven Flames earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average last semester. The department earned a cumulative GPA of 3.14, as 216 student-athletes posted a 3.0 or higher – up from 193 in the spring of 2018. Of that group, 79 checked in between 3.50 and 3.99, with an additional 90 earning between 3.0 and 3.49.
The women's golf team had the highest team GPA, a 3.60 effort, edging the men's tennis team, which had a 3.59. Twelve of UIC's 18 teams had a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Nine squads cleared the 3.33 benchmark. While UIC sponsors 20 teams athletically, indoor and outdoor track and field are combined to reach the condensed metric.
Mat Blair's golf squad had one perfect 4.0 GPA, three more at 3.75 or higher, and an additional three above 3.0.
Hans Neufeld's netmen turned in two 4.0s, five others above 3.50, and two more higher than 3.0.
The 48 student-athletes to achieve a 4.0 represent all 18 teams, with volleyball and women's soccer leading the way with five each. Women's swimming and women's gymnastics had four each. The men's gymnastics, women's track and field, men's track and field, women's tennis, and men's swimming teams had three 4.0 student-athletes apiece.
Six Flames upperclassmen –
Alex Bashqawi,
Zach Szczesniak,
Shivani Majmudar,
Riley Mahoney,
Kailash Panchapakesan, and
Emily Valentine – continued to maintain a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA.
"The performance of our student-athletes in the classroom continues to be a source of pride for our department," athletic director
Garrett Klassy said. "They showed yet again in the fall semester that they can achieve outstanding grades while still training and competing at the highest level in pursuit of championships.
"As UIC as an institution continues to grow and gain recognition as a world-class university, our student-athletes are challenged by their professors and classmates every day. It is a testament to their hard work, and to our wonderful support system, including the Port Academic Center, our academic advisors, professors, and other academic professionals, that the Flames continue to distinguish themselves as some of the top students that UIC has to offer."
After completing another successful semester, the Flames are poised to place an unprecedented number of student-athletes on the Horizon League Honor Roll when that list is released later this month.
