ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Despite the COVID-19 crisis forcing all classes to remote learning and the cancellation of the university’s spring athletic schedules, UNM’s student-athletes turned in a record-breaking semester in the classroom. Overall, eight programs recorded a program record GPA, and all 14 programs recorded a 3.00 or better GPA for the first time in department history. For the spring semester all UNM students had the option to take their classes as credit/no credit due to COVID-19 crisis.
Overall, UNM’s student-athletes recorded a 3.55 GPA, topping the previous mark of 3.37 which was set in the fall, 2019 semester. Prior to the 2019-20 academic year, the highest GPA recorded for UNM student-athletes was a 3.32 in the spring of 2017.
The GPA record was bolstered by record showing from the men’s teams and the women’s teams as both established a record for the second straight semester. Men’s teams last semester turned in a combined 3.34 GPA, which is the highest in department history, topping last semester’s 3.18 GPA. The women’s programs turned in a combined 3.74 GPA, which bested last semester’s record-tying mark of 3.59.
Overall, 296 student-athletes (of 393) earned a 3.0 or better, 220 earned a 3.5 or better, and 99 earned a 4.0 grade point average. Eight programs recorded the best GPA in program history, and 13 of the 14 programs recorded a top-five program GPA. Additionally, men’s tennis recorded a 3.97 GPA, which is the highest GPA for a men’s program in department history and it’s the fifth-highest mark overall in the history of the department. Women’s golf recorded a 4.01 GPA, tying for the highest mark in school history, and women’s tennis turned in a 3.99, which is good for the third-best mark in school history, just ahead of a 3.98 GPA that the team had last semester.
“I’m so proud of the exemplary work our student-athletes put into their academics in the face of a very challenging semester,” said Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez. “Everyone’s world was turned upside-down in March, and for our student-athletes to minimize the distractions and break records in the classroom is something that all Lobo fans should be proud of. Certainly, our coaches, who put an emphasis on academics, and our academic support staff, led by Chris Baca, deserve kudos for their hard work as well, but our student-athletes should be commended for their hard work.”