Courtesy of Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University (TSU) Department of Athletics announced its remarkable academic milestone, securing the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) 2023-24 Academic Success Award. This prestigious honor marks the second time in three years that TSU has received this accolade, a testament to the university’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence.
The SWAC Academic Success Award is determined by each member institution’s collective ranking across categories such as the highest four-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) average, highest single-year APR average, and highest Graduate Success Rate (GSR). Despite not having a men’s and women’s tennis program, TSU secured the award with 30 points in the point scale system used to determine the institutional winner. TSU previously won this award for the 2021-22 academic year.
“Words can’t describe how it feels to cap off the academic year with this type of news,” said Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, Dr. Kevin Granger. “It’s an honor and privilege to be number one in the SWAC when it comes to academic success. It’s also a huge testament to the hard work our Board of Regents, President’s office, faculty and staff, compliance department, academic staff, coaches, and student-athletes have put in throughout the academic year.”
In addition to the Academic Success Award, TSU excelled in the latest SWAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll report, with 162 student-athletes recognized for achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher during the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters.
Leading the academic charge was the TSU baseball team, with 28 student-athletes earning a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Other notable performances include:
- Football: 21 student-athletes
- Soccer: 20 student-athletes
- Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country: 19 student-athletes
- Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country: 17 student-athletes
- Softball: 16 student-athletes
- Volleyball: 12 student-athletes
- Women’s Basketball: 7 student-athletes
- Bowling: 6 student-athletes
- Women’s Golf: 6 student-athletes
- Men’s Basketball: 5 student-athletes
- Men’s Golf: 4 student-athletes
This significant achievement underscores TSU’s dedication to fostering an environment where academic and athletic excellence go hand in hand. TSU remains committed to supporting its student-athletes in their pursuit of academic success and personal development.