For the first time in school history, Kent State University has received the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Institutional Academic Achievement Award. The Golden Flashes earned a department-wide grade-point average (GPA) of 3.447 for the 2020-21 academic year.
The Institutional Academic Achievement Award is presented annually to the MAC school with the highest GPA for student-athletes in league-sponsored sports for the academic year.
"We strive for competitive excellence both within and outside of the classroom," Kent State Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond said. "I could not be more proud of the hard work and efforts of our student-athletes over the 2020-21 school year. This school year presented challenges like never before, and our student-athletes answered the call. I would also like to commend our academics support staff for ensuring our student-athletes were able to thrive in the midst of adversity."
Kent State student-athletes have recorded a term GPA over 3.0 in each of the past 18 semesters. The Flashes had 15 of their 17 teams rank among the top four in the MAC in GPA for the 2020-21 academic year, as men's basketball, field hockey, men's golf and wrestling all led the conference in their respective sport. Gymnastics had a department-best 3.806 GPA, while women's basketball, women's cross country, field hockey, men's golf, women's golf, lacrosse, soccer and softball also posted GPAs better than 3.60.
"Throughout the pandemic, our student-athletes took the lessons they learn daily on the playing field and adapted them to the classroom," said Angie Hull, associate athletics director for academic services at Kent State. "They adjusted and strategized their academic habits to meet the demands of virtual learning. Just as they would with their sport, they used perseverance to overcome obstacles. This award is evidence of their success and the support system of coaches and academic staff who supported them along the way."
An impressive 127 perfect 4.0 term GPAs were earned by Kent State student-athletes during the year. Baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball, women's cross country, women's golf and soccer all posted new program term GPA records.