Ole Miss student-athletes excelled on the playing field and in the classroom in 2014.
OXFORD, Miss. — Success wasn’t limited to the fields and courts this fall, as Ole Miss student-athletes achieved the highest cumulative grade point average (2.96) in recorded history, with over 50 percent of all student-athletes earning a 3.0 GPA or higher and 10 receiving their degrees.
In addition to those who made a 3.0, 113 posted a 3.50 or better, 68 finished with a 3.75 or better and 19 achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA.
“The Ole Miss student-athletes continue to improve each and every year, choosing challenging majors and excelling in the classroom as well as on the field, as evidenced by the continued upward trend in baseball, football and track and field; and the consistent improvement by all sports in general,” said senior associate athletics director Derek Cowherd. “We can all sense that there is something special brewing here. But more important than any GPA goal, we take great delight in witnessing the growth and professional development of the young men and women. They are building great habits and exhibiting a positive attitude, which makes it a joy to come to work each day at the University of Mississippi.”
With an impressive 3.70 cumulative GPA, and the highest ever in recorded history, women’s soccer led all teams. Six players scored a perfect 4.0, while 16 made the Chancellor’s Honor Roll, including Capital One Academic All-District honorees Maddie Friedman and Jessica Hiskey.
Men’s tennis topped the men’s teams with a 3.34, their best fall GPA in eight years. Seven players made the honor roll.
While enjoying the program’s best season in a long time, the Chick-fil-A Bowl bound football team posted the highest GPA in recorded history. Eight players earned their degrees, including two-time Chucky Mullins Award winner Deterrian Shackelford, who now has a Master’s Degree in Higher Education. A Capital One Academic All-District selection, Shackelford recently won the Wuerffel Trophy, which honors exemplary community service with outstanding academic and athletic achievement and was named Captain of the AFCA Good Works Team. Other football graduates include offensive lineman Justin Bell, defensive tackle Lavon Hooks, tight ends Carlton Martin and Nick Parker, wide receivers John Ratliff and Vince Sanders and defensive end Walker Sturgeon.
Women’s tennis had another outstanding semester with a 3.65 GPA, including seven of nine players making a 3.50 or better and five on the Chancellor’s Honor Roll. Junior Mai El Kamash and freshman Arianne Hartono both finished with a 3.94 to lead the Rebels.
Men’s basketball earned the team’s best GPA in recorded history (2.97), and the entire starting lineup made the honor roll, with nine of 14 team members earning a 3.0 or better.
Volleyball posted the most wins since 2007 and Nakeyta Clair became the first All-American since 2011, but the success didn’t stop on the court. The Rebels earned a 3.06 GPA, marking their first 3.00 team GPA in eight semesters. Over 50 percent of the team earned a 3.0 or better, with sophomores Aubrey Edie and Melanie Crow earning Capital One Academic All-District honors.
Scoring the highest team GPA since fall 2009, softball, under first-year head coach Mike Smith, posted a 3.26.
Baseball finished with a team GPA of 3.03 with 26 players earning a 3.00 or better. Men’s golf posted a 3.25 and had seven of eight players on the honor roll. Women’s golf recorded a 3.30 and placed six on the honor roll and rifle had six of nine make the honor roll for a GPA of 3.33.
Women’s track posted their highest GPA since 2011 (3.01) and the men’s team had their best semester (2.90) in more than six years.
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