JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University student-athletes were faced with perhaps the most challenging circumstances of their academic careers when the spring semester was moved entirely online in early March amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite that, all 19 of the department's programs earned a 3.0 GPA or higher this spring resulting in a record-breaking 3.515 cumulative GPA for the 2019-20 academic year.

"I want to recognize the resiliency of our incredibly hard-working and committed student-athletes," Senior Vice President and Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert said. "The unprecedented nature of these last few months have presented challenges that would have been impossible to prepare for, yet our student-athletes showed they are just as competitive off the field as they are on it. The Student-Athlete Services team, our coaching staff, and our faculty deserve a lot of credit for creating an environment where students could succeed. Academics and opportunity are at our core. Student-athlete academic success is among our proudest accomplishments. Year after year we continue to break records academically and the ability of our student-athletes to achieve these marks under these unique circumstances is a credit to their strength through adversity."

Students did not return to campus for classes following spring break as the school pivoted to virtual learning environments. While several adjustments were made this spring to maximize the resources available to all Jacksonville University students, the student-athletes that compete in the spring were also faced with the loss of games. It would have been easy and understandable had that loss affected performance in the classroom, but it produced just the opposite. Every program achieved a 3.4 GPA or higher during the spring semester, 14 of which posted marks of 3.7 or higher.

"All of the credit goes to our student-athletes for the work they put in despite so many obstacles," Deputy Athletic Director Lauren Cevis said. "Our staff put in long hours to ensure each student-athlete was supported through all of this and the results speak for themselves. I genuinely want to thank the University academic leadership for their ability to be flexible, to allow students to S/U classes in the spring, thus innovating and paving the way for ultimate success in the virtual classroom. We've made a habit of breaking records in the classroom and I'm so incredibly proud of that. It's a testament to the culture we've established at JU and to the work ethic of our student-athletes, faculty and staff."

The women's soccer program which is now led by new head coach John Constable, posted the highest GPA of any program this spring at 3.91. Constable began his new role, quite literally the day that student-athletes were notified that classes would be moving online. The program posted a 3.78 GPA for the year.

"The young women on our program have had a fantastic spring semester and year in the classroom," Constable added. "Credit goes to everyone that helped them along the way but most important, credit must go to the student-athletes themselves. I have only been here a few months, but it is clear there is a culture of academic success on our program and it is very impressive indeed."

The beach volleyball program checked in with a 3.86 GPA for the entire year, leading all programs, on the strength of a 3.84 GPA in the fall and a 3.88 GPA in the spring. The indoor volleyball team, also under the tutelage of a first-year head coach, Maggie Couture posted a 3.84 GPA this spring and 3.49 GPA for the year.

"I am so proud of our program's success in the classroom this semester," Couture said. "Both (beach and indoor) teams dedicated themselves to being highly successful student-athletes, in the face of much change and adversity. That hard work paid off for each individual and our program. I am looking forward to our continued success as each player strives to be the best student they can become."

The men's cross country program led all male sports with a 3.77 GPA in the spring and men's golf led all male sports with a 3.67 GPA for the year. Despite the addition of the S/U model Jacksonville student-athletes only needed to utilize it for 18 percent of classes.

"I am proud of the resiliency of the student-athletes that adapted during unprecedented times," Director of Cross Country/Track & Field Ron Grigg said. "I am thankful for both our student-athlete services department as well as our professors who went well beyond their job descriptions to ensure the success of our students."

By the end of the spring semester, 95 percent (381 total) of Dolphins recorded a GPA of 3.0 or higher and 88.5 percent (355 total) recorded a 3.0 or greater for the academic year. Due in part to those successes, 81 graduates had degrees conferred and 218 student-athletes will garner ASUN Honor Roll recognition, not including the additional 19 from the women's rowing team that earned spots on the MAAC Honor Roll.

"Given the unprecedented circumstances and uncertainty that our team faced this past spring, I am extremely proud of their efforts in the classroom," Director of Rowing Mike Lane said. "Instead of channeling our efforts on both speed on the water and success in the classroom, they were able to give 100% focus to their academics. This resulted in a historic classroom performance from our team. I could not be prouder of what our athletes accomplished, and a huge thank you to our academic team of Angela DeMarino & Emily Brown for pushing our athletes across the finish line!"

Additional Comments:
"I'm extremely proud of the academic excellence of our student-athletes," Men's Soccer Head Coach Mauricio Ruiz said. "It shows their commitment to be an elite collegiate athlete, and the sacrifices they need to make. I'm also very grateful for the resources and support our athletic department provide our student athletes, especially Andy Heston, our academic advisor, the hours he spends to educate and mentor our young man on how to be successful in the classroom. It takes a village to create a culture of excellence but our athletes are the stars for going out and taking care of their business in the classroom, I'm very proud."

"We are extremely proud of the job our guys did this year in the classroom," Men's Basketball Head Coach Tony Jasick added. "Their efforts, along with the strong commitment from Lauren Cevis and her team, throughout the University's shutdown was nothing short of remarkable."

"A few reasons come to mind for the academic success of our team," Softball Head Coach Erica Ayers said. "First and foremost, these kids deserve the credit, they are the ones putting in the work on a daily basis. Secondly, we get phenomenal support and guidance from our academic services, specifically our point of contact Angela DeMarino. Lastly, I believe it is also a testament to the quality of education JU provides and the interest level our students have in their fields of study."

"We couldn't be prouder of this resilient group and class," Women's Golf Head Coach Kathryn Dougan said. "Excelling in the classroom and persevering under such extraordinary circumstances at the end of the Spring 2020 semester was no small task. It shows their commitment to Jacksonville University and their commitment as student-athletes."

"As a coach, it is my job, and my purpose, to be consistent in teaching my athletes what their true focus should always be," Spirit Coordinator/Head Cheer & Dance Team Coach Gene Moore said. "Starting with our first meeting as a team, I remind them they are here, first and foremost, for an education. I strive to be consistent in teaching them that a great performance on game day is always secondary to a great academic performance. I feel it makes all the difference. My athlete's academic successes and increasing averages proves that."

"I am incredibly proud of the success our women's lacrosse team had in the classroom this spring," Head Coach Mindy McCord added. "While enduring much change in their lives they still persevered in the classroom with an overall 3.856 GPA. Their care and commitment to be a student first is the number one goal of our program. What was very impressive is that we also had 15 players with a 4.0 this semester and we closed the academic year with an outstanding 3.7 GPA with all 42 players posting at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA."