Jan. 20, 2005
Columbia, Mo. - The New Year has begun and we certainly are looking forward to an exciting 2005. Without question, there were a number of difficult issues that we dealt with last year, and I, personally, am pleased to be able to move forward. Those lessons learned, while difficult on so many, can be valuable to all of us in the coming years.
As we look to this year, we are so very pleased with the commitment of our student-athletes to our three core values, which consist of academic integrity, social responsibility, and competitive excellence. In particular, fall of 2004 saw tremendous dedication by our men and women in their academic pursuits.
Our academic report for the 2004 fall semester reveals some record breaking achievements by Mizzou student-athletes. Ten of our teams had a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Seven of those teams set a fall GPA record, including our men's basketball team. Coach Quin Snyder's team delivered a cumulative GPA of 2.91, which represents the highest score ever recorded by the Mizzou Basketball program. In addition, our basketball team finished 2004 with a graduation rate of 67%, which was best in the Big 12 Conference. Next on the list was Colorado, at 40%.
Overall, our teams had a cumulative GPA of 2.90, which ties the 2002 fall semester for the highest mark ever recorded. A healthy 51% of our more than 500 student-athletes finished with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and 25 recorded a perfect 4.0 grade point average. We had 144 Tigers who were named to the Dean's List, and 31 of them were named to their various Big 12 Conference All-Academic first teams.
Our track and field programs continue to set records in the classroom. Coach Rick McGuire's team again was named Academic All American. It's a distinction that this program has held for 20 straight semesters! Congratulations are certainly due to Rick and his staff and student-athletes, because this is an unprecedented string of accomplishments that they are putting together.
Another venture that the Department of Athletics is excited about is a partnership with University of Missouri Health Care and Ellis Fischel Cancer Center. This Friday, our gymnastics team is competing at home in a dual meet against Centenary, and we have deemed the night "Pink Out presented by Missouri Health Care," in order to benefit breast cancer research and raise awareness about the issue.
As one might infer, pink will be the theme for the evening, as that is the color associated with breast cancer awareness. Our gymnasts will wear commemorative pink leotards for the meet, and pink tee shirts will be given away to the first 500 fans in attendance. Our fans can also help contribute, as $1 for each ticket sold will be given to Ellis Fischel Cancer Center to benefit breast cancer research, and Ellis Fischel will also have screening booths available for fans, where they can get a skin screening or simply pick up information.
This is one of many examples of how our department is committed to being a good community partner, and getting involved in these ways is a great life skill to teach each one of our student-athletes as they matriculate through our University.
We recognize that our fans and friends want us to win in all of our athletic competitions, and we are focused on improving competitively every day. However, all too often we forget the primary reason for intercollegiate athletics and the student-athletes who participate. We are excited that our students have embraced the mission of our institution and are responding in an outstanding fashion. We will always be determined to be successful in everything we do, and will also make sure that the success to which we aspire always begins with academics.
As always, thank-you for taking the time to read this column. If you have any questions or comments about these topics or anything else relating to collegiate athletics, please feel free to contact me at either (573) 882-2055 or e-mail me at aldenm@missouri.edu.