ACADEMICS CONTINUE TO BE A STRENGTH FOR UTPA STUDENT-ATHLETES
For Immediate Release: Thursday, 15 January 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

EDINBURG, TX-Student-athletes at The University of Texas-Pan American turned in another strong performance during the just-concluded fall 2003 semester. UTPA student-athletes posted an overall cumulative grade-point average of 2.84, which was higher than the overall undergraduate GPA of 2.62, as reported by the UTPA Office of Admissions & Records.

During the fall, 62 Texas-Pan American student-athletes, representing 39 per cent of the total, earned a semester GPA of 3.0 or higher. That total includes 49 student-athletes, representing 31 per cent of the total, who earned a GPA of 3.2 or better.

Dean's List Second Honors were accorded to 28 student-athletes, representing 18 per cent of the total, who earned a semester GPA of 3.5 or better, while the 13 student-athletes who earned a perfect 4.0 GPA received Dean's List First Honors.

The Fall 2003 edition of the UTPA athletic department's Bronc Pride 3.0 Club will induct 60 new members representing all 14 NCAA Division I programs. The Broncs Pride 3.0 Club honors student-athletes receiving a 3.0 GPA or better.

The women's tennis team, which received national academic recognition from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association in each of the last three seasons, posted the highest team GPA for the past semester team at 3.36. They also recorded the highest cumulative team GPA at 3.44. On the men's side, the tennis team was also tops academically, posted the highest semester team GPA of 3.00, while also maintaining the top cumulative team GPA at 3.01.

The United States Achievement Academy also recognized 35 Texas-Pan American student-athletes, representing 13 of the 14 NCAA Division I programs, as 2003 USAA All-American Sport Scholars for their outstanding commitment to academics. That total represented an increase of 13 student-athletes over the previous year's total. In addition, a record nine student-athletes from UTPA were recognized in as 2003 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sport Scholars.

Senior guard Kevin Mitchell (Copperas Cove, TX/Copperas Cove HS/McLennan CC) of the men's basketball team was one of only five student-athletes named to the 2003 Verizon Academic All-District VI team. He was one of only 40 student-athletes nationwide to receive Academic All-District honors. Both Mitchell and senior guard James Davis (Oklahoma City, OK/Casady HS/Westark CC) were named to the inaugural NCAA Division I-AAA Athletic Director's Association Scholar-Athlete team. Meanwhile, sophomore Filip Koziell (Calgary, AB/Bishop Carroll HS) was named to the 2003 Southland Conference men's tennis All-Academic team.

"Over the last four years, our student-athletes have established and demonstrated their commitment to academics as well as athletics," said UTPA Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Support and Student Services Chris Uchacz. "We traditionally have a higher departmental GPA than the university undergraduate population, which is very unique. I am most impressed this semester by the 28 student-athletes who were named to the Dean's List - 13 with perfect 4.00 GPA's, and another 15 with a 3.50 or higher. I applaud all of our coaches and faculty here at UTPA who have made a point of empowering our student-athletes to excel in the classroom."

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