The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Wins in the Classroom
12/18/2015 | Academic Support
OXFORD, Miss. - Football is one of five teams going to back-to-back New Year's Six Bowls, and women's soccer reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the first time ever, but Ole Miss' success wasn't limited to the fields and courts this fall.
The Rebels had the largest number and percentage (51.5 percent) of student-athletes to earn a 3.00 grade point average or better in recorded history, while 116 had a 3.50 or better, 74 posted a 3.75 or better and 33 boasted a perfect 4.00 GPA.
Nineteen student-athletes earned their degrees, including CJ Johnson, Aaron Morris, Nathan Noble and Fadol Brown of football and Bethany Bunker, Georgia Russell, and Samantha Sanders of soccer.
"Student-athletes at the University of Mississippi continue to excel in the classroom despite increasing demands on and off the field," said senior associate athletics director Derek Cowherd. "We had the highest percentage and number of student-athletes on the Athletics Director's Honor Roll in recorded history. We are thankful for their hard work and determination and look forward to witnessing the successes that will be derived from the tremendous generosity of FedEx and the anonymous donor."
Women's soccer enjoyed a historic season on the pitch, earning their highest final ranking (No. 16) in program history in addition to advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time in school history. Off the pitch, the Rebels enjoyed another outstanding semester in the classroom leading the way for the women's teams with a 3.57 GPA. Twenty-two of the 26 players earned a 3.00 GPA or better, and nine posted a 4.0, including CoSIDA Academic All-American Jessica Hiskey and team captain Jennifer Miller, who was perfect in her first semester of Pharmacy School.
Men's golf posted a 3.53, the highest team GPA of all men's teams in record history. Six of eight team members earned a Dean's or Chancellor's Honor Roll distinction. Women's golf finished with its highest GPA (3.35) since spring 2011 and seven of nine student-athletes earned a 3.00 GPA or higher.
While setting a school record for most home wins (13) and numerous individual school records, the volleyball team posted its highest GPA since the spring of 2010 with a 3.23. Ten of 15 members earned a 3.00 GPA or better. Three players boasted a 4.0 GPA, including CoSIDA Academic All-American Aubrey Edie and freshmen Caroline Adams and Laina Carnes.
Women's tennis continued their success in the classroom, finishing right behind soccer and men's golf, with a 3.52. Seven of the 10 players earned Chancellor's Honor Roll honors, while freshman Brooke Stevens posted a 4.0. On the other side of the tennis center, the men's team had seven of nine players earn a 3.00 GPA, including Zvonimir Babic and Robert Mounger with 4.00s.
Baseball posted a 3.06 GPA and had 22 of 37 earn at least a 3.00 GPA with four on the Chancellor's Honor Roll. Softball recorded a 3.28 team GPA, which includes 20 of 28 with a 3.00 or higher.
Women's basketball earned its highest GPA since fall 2012 and men's basketball had six earn a GPA of 3.00 or higher.
Men's cross country qualified for the NCAA Championships for the second year in a row while 14 members of the squad earned a 3.00 or higher. Sixteen members of the women's cross country team made the honor roll with five earning a 4.00 GPA. Both track and teams combined to have 13 make the honor roll.
Rifle placed six on the honor roll, including three on the Dean's Honor Roll.
For academic accomplishments and news surrounding Ole Miss student-athletes, follow them on Twitter, @UMTrueRebel.
