Fall semester provided many competitive highlights by NDSU’s student athletes. Not to be outdone in the classroom, there also were many academic highlights.

Thirty-eight student athletes earned a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, while another 173 achieved a 3.0 grade-point average or better. That translates to 64 percent (211), nearly two-thirds of the 328 NDSU student athletes, earning at least a 3.0 grade-point average.

The men’s and women’s athletic teams have a combined 3.02 overall grade-point average. The women’s golf team topped the list with a 3.52 grade-point average.

“We are very proud of our athletes and their success in the classroom. The challenges they face with travel, practice and competition and still doing well in their classes shows the commitment and hard work by our athletes and the importance of academics being emphasized by our coaches,” said Gene Taylor, NDSU director of athletics. “We are also grateful to our academic support staff who does a tremendous job assisting our athletes with tutoring and study hall.”

Lynn Dorn, NDSU director of women's athletics, said, “To once again achieve the department’s academic goal of an accumulative grade-point of 3.0 or better, is a testimony to the student athlete’s commitment to excellence in the classroom and to the many others who prioritize academics. It is really neat to be able to share the athlete’s academic success with the many who believe in providing an education to our athletes.”

Thirty percent (99) of Bison student athletes landed on the dean’s list. In addition, three were named to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America football team. The Summit League will announce its fall academic awards on Monday, Jan. 26.