Miami Football Student-Athletes Exceed National Graduation Rate For 8th Time Since 1991

April 26, 2002

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – Thirteen of 18 University of Miami football student-athletes who entered school during the 1996-97 academic year have graduated, giving the UM football program a graduation rate of 72.2 percent as the Hurricanes have graduated at a rate of at least 70 percent for the eighth time in 11 years. The 2002 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) graduation rate survey was released this week with Miami football student-athletes improving their overall rate since 1991 to 71.29 percent. In comparison, last year’s AFCA national average for 95 institutions was 59 percent.

“All of us in the football program are extremely proud of the effort our student-athletes make toward earning their degree,” said head football coach Larry Coker. “This is no surprise to me. I know the efforts made by our players and our staff, and that work is showing results. While that’s gratifying, it’s also emblematic of the commitment our entire athletic program has made to helping develop our young people both academically and athletically. We want our student-athletes to contribute to society and making the most of their opportunity as a student-athlete is a major first step in becoming a valuable member of the community.”

Twelve of 20 student-athletes who will be seniors on the playing field this Fall will have received their undergraduate diplomas by the end of the 2002 Summer semester and will begin graduate courses. Five more are on track to graduate in December and one more is on track to graduate in May 2003. Additionally, two other senior student-athletes are on track to complete five-year bachelor’s/master’s engineering degree programs during the 2002-2003 academic year.

“The ultimate credit goes to the young men, who have prioritized education in their lives and placed a priority on receiving a degree from the University of Miami,” said Tomas Jimenez, Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Services. “Some will be leaving with two degrees. The leadership at UM, both in athletics and in academics, has fostered an environment that makes possible achievement across the board by our student-athletes.”