HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University's student-athletes continue to ascend to new heights, both in their respective programs and in the classroom. This spring, Norse student-athletes posted a combined 3.46 GPA.
"It is truly impressive what our student-athletes continue to accomplish in the classroom," said
Debbie Kirch, associate athletics director for compliance and student-services/senior women's administrator. "Their achievements are a testament to their drive and commitment to success in all avenues. It takes a total commitment to academic excellence throughout the athletic department for this level of achievement. As such, some of the success can also be attributed to our coaches for recruiting outstanding student-athletes as well as our three academic advisors –
Zach Barge,
Kelsey Dunaway and A.J. Dingledine – who work with our student-athletes on a daily basis."
"Our student-athletes continue to achieve at the highest level academically," exclaimed
Ken Bothof, NKU's director of athletics. "I'm extremely proud of their accomplishments this semester. Our coaches continue to embrace our core value of academic success and it's reflected in the academic quality of the student-athletes they are recruiting."
This year's four-year seniors have set the bar at Northern Kentucky, establishing a precedent with eight-straight semesters with a department-wide, cumulative GPA at or above a 3.2. Northern Kentucky is also on a stretch of 14-consecutive semesters with at least a 3.0 GPA.
Men's tennis registered a 3.70 GPA to lead the department.
Four programs established either tied or set team GPA benchmarks. The softball program led the way with a 3.67 GPA, the second-best among all sport programs and highest among the women's teams. Women's soccer matched their program record 3.62 GPA originally established in Fall 2016. Men's golf (3.56) and men's soccer (3.48) also set new marks.
For the first time in recorded department history, every Norse program posted a cumulative GPA above a 3.0. In fact, all 15 programs posted at least a 3.13 GPA.
On Wednesday, four programs – men's cross country, men's tennis, women's tennis and men's track & field – were also honored with Public Recognition Awards for posting Academic Progress Rates in the top-10 percent of all teams in their respective sports.
Thirty-four (34) student-athletes, which equates to 15.6 percent of Northern Kentucky's student-athlete population, achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA. And, 47.7 percent (103) of NKU's student-athletes achieved a 3.6 GPA or above.
At spring commencement, 38 student-athletes received their diploma. Four others are on track to complete their degrees this summer. Below is the list of graduates.
Baseball (8)
Brody Basilone – Organizational Leadership
Nick Beard – Business Administration
Will Haueter – Finance
Pat Kelley – Geography & Geology (Double-Major)
Mike Moffatt – Communication Studies*
Jake Richmond – Communication Studies
Chad Roberts - Psychology
Cameron Ross – Finance
Men's Basketball (2)
Jordan Garnett – Organizational Leadership
Lavone Holland II – Communication Studies
Women's Basketball (1)
Mikayla Terry – Criminal Justice
Men's Cross Country/Track & Field (5)
Kameron Crim – Exercise Science*
John Michael Griffith – Finance
Daniel Keller – Accounting & Finance (Double-Major)
Michael Mangus – Mathematics & Statistics (Double-Major)
Andrew Schille – Exercise Science
Women's Cross Country/Track & Field (5)
Ashley Brown – Social Work
Jordan Horning – Exercise Science
Shelley Menifee – Exercise Science
Erin Sherrer – Criminal Justice
Jessica Tegge – Environmental Science
Men's Golf (2)
Jackson Frame – Accounting & Finance (Double-Major)
Byron Speach – Marketing
Women's Golf (2)
Mimi Cheepborisut – Studio Arts*
Shelby Power – Marketing
Men's Soccer (3)
Christian Carey – Political Science
Dylan Carss – Sports Business
James Morris – Finance & Marketing (Double-Major)
Women's Soccer (2)
Macy Hamblin – Organizational Leadership*
Kayte Osterfeld – Finance
Softball (6)
Kate Bartolovich – Business Administration
Taylor Brummell – History
Sydney Ferrante – Physical Education
Alina Maher – Human Services and Additions
Paige McQueen – Nursing
Ashlynn Roberts – Management
Men's Tennis (1)
Mate Virag – Business Informatics Systems & Computer Science (Double-Major)
Women's Tennis (1)
Sydney Power – Psychology
Volleyball (4)
Georgia Childers – Athletic Training
McKenzie Eskridge – Sociology
Drew Hendricks – Electronic Media and Broadcasting
Kelly Turner – Elementary Education
*Degree expected to be conferred summer 2018.
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