Coronavirus disrupted the spring semester, but Boise State athletes excelled in class
Even though many were forced to finish the semester remotely, Boise State athletes put up impressive numbers in the classroom this spring.
On Wednesday, the Broncos announced the athletic department combined for a 3.46 grade point average during the spring semester despite the spread of the coronavirus, which shut campus down in late March. Despite the interruption, 89 athletes posted a 4.0 GPA.
Gymnastics led the way for the 12th consecutive semester with a 3.96 team GPA, which included 12 athletes with a 4.0. Women’s tennis was second with a 3.92, as every member of the team recorded at least a 3.7.
Every Boise State women’s program posted at least a 3.5 team GPA. Men’s track and field and cross country (3.52) was the top-performing men’s program. The football team set a program record with a 3.10 GPA, which included 16 players achieving a 4.0 and 72 percent of the team reaching at least a 3.0.
“To achieve this type of success while stretched across the globe, learning remotely and facing varying levels of technological limitations says a lot about the character and dedication our students possess,” Boise State Executive Director of Athletics Curt Apsey said Wednesday in a press release. “I also want to acknowledge the example set by our coaches and staff and commend them for continuing to prioritize academics while adapting to our new environment.”
Broncos set APR records
Boise State also set records for single-year and multi-year all-department Academic Progress Rate scores. Athletes combined for a 992 single-year score and a 990 multi-year score. Both scores improved by one point over the previous year.
APR scores account for eligibility, retention and graduation each semester. The multi-year scores are based on results from the 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 academic years.
Ten programs posted perfect single-year scores of 1,000: women’s basketball, beach volleyball, women’s cross country, women’s golf, gymnastics, women’s soccer, women’s swimming and diving, men’s tennis, women’s track and field and women’s volleyball.
Women’s golf recorded its ninth consecutive perfect single-year score. Gymnastics has posted perfect scores six years in a row, and women’s basketball has now achieved the feat in each of the past four years.
The football team’s 997 was its highest score in 10 years, and men’s basketball’s 985 was one point shy of the program’s all-time record.
