Student-athletes celebrate best academic semester on record

We’ve had plenty of athletic successes to write about already this year, from football all-Americans to basketball rankings, not to mention volleyball, cross country and equestrian. But it’s worth noting that Baylor athletes aren’t just athletes — they’re student-athletes. And while their performances on the field draw the most attention, their work in the classroom comes first.

You already know that the Bears continue to lead the Big 12 in graduation success rate. (That’s basketball’s Mamadou Diene pictured at right, receiving his diploma at December’s Commmencement ceremony.) This fall, Baylor student-athletes had the best academic semester on record, with an overall GPA of 3.04.  Eleven programs recorded a team GPA above 3.0, and a record number of student-athletes (239) made the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

In addition to linebacker Joe Pawelek’s Academic All-America selection, Baylor soccer’s Beckah Brady and Katie White and volleyball’s Anna Breyfogle earned Academic All-District honors. A total of 51 Bears and Lady Bears were named to Academic All-Big 12 teams (16 from football, 12 from soccer, four from volleyball, and 19 from cross country).

Sic ’em, Baylor student-athletes!