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For Immediate Release: Monday, January 13, 2003 UTPA STUDENT-ATHLETES CONTINUE TO EXCEL IN THE CLASSROOM EDINBURG, TX-For the seventh consecutive semester, the academic performance of student-athletes at The University of Texas-Pan American has improved. The cumulative grade-point average for Texas-Pan American's student-athletes was 2.90 for the recently-concluded 2002 fall semester, representing an increase from the 2.88 GPA that was posted during the 2002 spring semester. "Our athletic program at The University of Texas-Pan American remains committed to providing an environment that enables each of our student-athletes to successfully strive for excellence in both the athletic and academic arenas," said UTPA Director of Athletics William J. Weidner. "The attainment of a departmental cumulative GPA of 2.90 is strong evidence of that commitment, and is an achievement of which we are most proud." Nearly half of UT Pan American's student-athletes earned a GPA of 3.0 (B) or better for the fall semester. Seventy-five student-athletes, or 48 per cent of UTPA's student-athletes, earned grades of at least 3.0 or better for the fall, an increase seven per cent over last spring. Fifty-nine student-athletes, or 38 per cent, earned grades of 3.2 or better, while 31 student-athletes, or 20 per cent, earned grades of 3.5 or better. Six student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0 GPA. The 31 student-athletes earning grades of 3.5 or better earned Dean's List Second Honors, while those earning a 4.0 earned Dean's List First Honors. The Bronc Pride 3.0 Club, which honors all student-athletes earning a GPA of 3.0 or better, inducted its largest group since the club's inception in the fall of 2000. The fall 2002 group included 65 student-athletes. The women's golf team had the highest grade-point average of any UTPA athletic team last semester. The Lady Bronc golfers posted a 3.567 GPA, while the UTPA men's tennis team took semester honors among men's teams with a 3.138 GPA. The women's tennis team has the highest cumulative grade-point average at 3.49, while the men's tennis team also posted the top cumulative GPA, at 3.009. The United States Achievement Academy also recognized 22 Bronc student-athletes as All-American Sports Scholars. Ten of Texas-Pan American's 14 NCAA Division I programs were represented. "I am very pleased with the academic performance of our student-athletes, and earning a departmental cumulative GPA of 2.9 is right on target towards our goal of reaching a 3.0," said Chris Uchacz, UTPA's Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Support and Student Services. "The academic progress our athletic department has witnessed over the last few years is a direct result of the commitment that out student-athletes have made to academics, and towards earning their degrees. A lot of credit must also go to our coaches, who are very supportive of the academic mission of the athletics department. I am very proud of our student-athletes, and look forward to what the future has in store for them as scholars and as athletes. " GE-18-03011303
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