FERRIS STATE STUDENT-ATHLETES POST HIGH GRADUATION RATE
 Ferris State University student-athletes continue to graduate at a higher percentage than the national average, according to the latest annual graduation rate report by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The report studied the freshman class enrolling in fall 1997 and showed the Bulldogs graduated 65 percent of their student-athletes compared to a 51 percent graduation rate for all NCAA Division II student-athletes who graduated within the six-year window established as the standard by the United States Department of Education.
FSU's four-year average that tracked graduation rates of four consecutive classes from 1994-97 was 59 percent for student-athletes. The national Division II student-athlete four year class average was 49 percent. Among Michigan's seven Division II schools, Ferris' 59 percent student-athlete graduation rate for the four-year class average was second only to Michigan Technological University's 64 percent.
"The emphasis Ferris puts on bringing in solid student-athletes on the front end shows up on the back end," said FSU Athletics Director Tom Kirinovic. "When our student-athletes arrive from high school with high grade point averages and high ACT scores, it has a direct bearing on how many can graduate.
"The importance our coaches place on academics pays dividends," added Kirinovic. "They conduct study halls for their teams and stress that their student-athletes attend all classes. In the normal course of the season, there are times they have to miss class to travel, so there is no need for them to additionally cut classes. During many team meetings, our coaches repeatedly mention how critical academics are. We pride ourselves on those aspects."
Kirinovic also noted that student-athletes generally are more aware of the availability of academic assistance. "They typically are more self-confident and outgoing and are likely to seek out tutors on their own," he said. "Over the years, I have had many professors tell me that student-athletes are the leaders in their classes.
"I don't believe there is any one reason for our high ranking, but rather a combination of a lot of factors contribute to our higher graduation rate for student-athletes," said Kirinovic.
The report studied student-athletes who received athletics aid in football, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's track and cross country, and other men's and women's sports.
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