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USC Athletics sets new Record for Graduation Success Rate

Erik-McKinneyby: Erik McKinney12/02/21ErikTMcKinney
USC graduation
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 14: USC student graduates from the 2020 and 2021 school year participated in the first of 14 USCs 2021 Commencement ceremonies at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Friday May 14, 2021. Roughly 1500 students graduated this morning and there will be a total of 21,000 participating in commencement over the next 7 days with 2 ceremonys a day. Students were spaced 8 feet apart on the field and spectators were social distanced in the stands at the Memorial Coliseum which has not held a USC commencement since 1950. Memorial Coliseum on Friday, May 14, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images).

For the eighth year in a row, USC Athletics set a new record for Graduation Success Rate. The Trojans finished at 92% this year. The 2021 data measures how many student-athletes in the 2011-2014 classes graduated within six years of their enrollment.

According to a press release from USC, 12 of the 19 USC sports tracked by the NCAA had a Graduation Success Rate above 90% this year. Those sports included men’s basketball, men’s tennis, men’s volleyball, men’s water polo, men’s track and field, women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, women’s track and field, women’s rowing, women’s water polo, women’s volleyball and women’s basketball.

The school’s 92% overall is 25 percentage points higher than the first GSR number, released in 2005. Fifteen of the 19 sports saw an improvement or the same score as last year. Men’s basketball saw the biggest jump, at 25 percentage points, up to 100% this year. The 2018 data had men’s basketball at 50%.

Football has seen a rise as well, up to 81% from its initial 2005 mark of 55%.

“Our student-athletes have demonstrated incredible resilience and flexibility in the face of new academic realities,” USC director of Student-Athlete Academic Services Dr. Denise Kwok said in the statement. “We are proud to see that they continue to engage fully in their academics, and we are grateful to the campus community for the effort and concern that goes into making sure each of our student-athletes have an exceptional academic experience. From our highest level of administration to our individual academic advisors, coaches and support team, everyone plays a critical role in ensuring our student-athletes’ success. We could not continue this incredible progression of academic success without the adaptability, dedication and commitment from our student-athletes, coaches, administrators and academics team.” 

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz