Nov. 20, 2017 LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena College student athletes are graduating at one of the highest rates nationally amongst all Division I schools. According to the NCAA’s annual Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report, 92% of student athletes who entered Siena College as freshmen in the Fall of 2010 went on to graduate, eclipsing the national Division I average of 87% by five points.
“I am delighted to know that our student athletes continue to excel in the classroom,” said Siena College President Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D. “The graduation rates and GPAs are impressive, and demonstrate our athletes' commitment to excellence both in their chosen fields of study and in their different sports. Those achievements require a great deal of personal discipline and sacrifice, and we are proud to call them Siena Saints.”
Siena increased its GSR for the second straight year, while matching the athletic department’s highest rate since posting a 93% GSR in the 2013 NCAA report. Siena has boasted a GSR of 90% or higher in all 13 NCAA reports since the rate was first released in 2005, and the athletic department’s average all-time GSR of 93.9% ranks amongst the top-10 percent nationally of all Division I institutions.
"The latest graduation success rate is a testament to our student athletes and their commitment to our shared goal of having them earn a Siena College degree," explained Siena College Vice President and Director of Athletics John D'Argenio. "I wish to commend our coaches, who continue to recruit student athletes focused on earning their degree, as well as our academic support staff, which works diligently with our nearly 350 student athletes in mentoring them towards a path to graduation."
Siena College tied a school record set in 2011 with 14 of the athletic department’s 22 Division I athletic programs posting 100% GSR’s. Teams recording perfect cohort rates were men’s cross country, men’s indoor track, men’s outdoor track, men’s soccer, men’s tennis, women’s cross country, field hockey, women’s golf, women’s indoor track, women’s outdoor track, women’s swimming and diving, women’s tennis, volleyball, and water polo.
"I am delighted that our student athletes embody the scholar athlete model that is at the core of our Siena College values and educational model,” noted Siena College Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Margaret E. Madden. “The excellent academic record of these student athletes attests to their hard work and commitment to excellence in both their coursework and athletic endeavors."
Siena’s stellar rate also played a key role in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference achieving a league-wide GSR of 91%. The MAAC ranked tied for fourth in the nation amongst all Division I conferences for the four-year cohort, excluding the Ivy League which does not participate.
“I congratulate the student athletes and academic support staffs at our 11 member schools which are responsible for the MAAC’s high level of graduation rate,” commented MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor.
The NCAA Graduation Success Rate report gives graduation information for students and student athletes who entered college in 2010, the most recent class for which the required six years of information is available. It also breaks down the GSR by sport, using a four-year class average (2007-2010) called a cohort rate to provide a big enough sample.
“Student athletes are reaching their academic goals and earning degrees at record rates,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert. “The dramatic improvement in the graduation rate for African-American student athletes in all sports is a significant achievement, and our student athletes and member schools should be proud of the work they are doing. The goal of all the NCAA’s academic policies and programs is to prepare students for life after college, and graduation is integral to this success.”
The NCAA developed the GSR because the Federal Graduation Rate (FGR) does not credit institutions with student athletes who leave in good academic standing and go on to graduate, or transfers into the school who graduate. Siena recorded a 78% cohort FGR rate, which was 1% higher than that of the general student body of the College, and 10% higher than the national Division I average of 68%. Additionally, six Siena Athletics programs – men’s cross country, men’s indoor track, men’s outdoor track, men’s tennis, women’s golf, and women’s tennis – posted perfect 100% cohort FGR’s.
"Siena College is committed to excellence in the classroom,” explained Siena College Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Lori Anctil. “Our student athletes take pride in their academics, and are dedicated to earning their Siena College degree. We are proud of their efforts, and appreciate their continued hard work and determination.”
The FGR is based on a comparison of the number of students who entered a college or university and the number of those who graduated within six years. For example, for every 100 Siena student athletes entering school from 2007-10, 78 graduate from Siena within six years.
