A central component of Little Rock Athletics’ focus to deliver the best possible student-athlete experience is to Graduate Champions, and the latest Graduation Success Rate (GSR) from the NCAA continues to show the Trojans’ commitment to that ideal. 

The latest GSR rankings show the Trojans with an 82 percent graduation rate, one that consistently ranks among the best in both the Sun Belt Conference and the state of Arkansas. Little Rock has boasted the highest Graduation Success Rate among Division I schools in the state six of the last seven years and has consistently ranked among the top schools in the Sun Belt.

“Graduating Champions continues to be at the center of everything we do,” said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque. “The latest GSR further demonstrates our commitment to our student-athletes and their experience as a Little Rock Trojan.”

This is the 14th year that the NCAA has calculated data for the GSR and the Trojans’ rate has improved by 16 points since the initial report in 1998. Little Rock has registered a GSR in the 80s in each of the last four reports, highlighted by the Trojans’ high water mark of 83 in last year’s report.

A number of Trojan athletic programs had impressive ratings as well, contributing to another strong showing for Little Rock. The ranking is highlighted by a GSR score of 100 for volleyball, 92 for swimming and diving, 91 for men’s basketball and 88 for women’s golf.

This year’s GSR is based on student-athletes who began enrollment in the fall of 2011 or the spring of 2012 and received athletic aid in their first year of college. The Graduation Success Rate was developed by the NCAA as part of its academic reform initiative to more accurately assess the academic success of student-athletes.

The success in the classroom adds to what has been a monumental fall semester for Little Rock in competition. Soccer set a program-record with 13 victories and captured its first Sun Belt Conference championship, advancing to the NCAA tournament.

Volleyball has doubled its win total from last season, finishing the regular season fourth in the Sun Belt and heads to the conference tournament this week with the league’s Player of the Year in Veronica Marin.

Cross country also had a strong showing in the fall semester, highlighted by Shanieke Watson capturing third team All-Sun Belt honors and placing 16th at the NCAA South Central Regional last week. Both soccer and baseball were recognized as the top academic program in their respective sports by the Sun Belt with six different Little Rock programs earning academic accolades by their respective national organizations.