GRAND FORKS, N.D.-- The University of North Dakota Athletic department celebrated a record-breaking Fall semester in the classroom with a combined grade point average of 3.375 among its 357 student-athletes, the highest in the school's NCAA Division era. All told, 278 UND student-athletes boasted a semester GPA at or above 3.0, nearly 80 percent of UND's rostered athletes among its 15 teams.

It marked the 23rd consecutive semester that UND athletes have charted a combined 3.0 overall department. It was also the second straight semester with all 15 teams achieving combined 3.0 GPAs in their respective sports. 

An incredible 66 athletes recorded perfect 4.0 GPA semesters in the fall. Thirty of those athletes also carry a 4.0 cumulative GPA. 

"We are so excited to have another excellent semester in the classroom for our athletes," UND Assistant Athletics Director, Student-Athlete Support Services Andres Freeman said. "Every year, they continue to raise the bar for not only their teams but our department as a whole. Our goal every semester is to have all of the teams reach a 3.0 semester GPA and we have met that again and then some. Our academic staff would like to thank our coaches for their commitment to their athletes' success not only in their sport, but in the classroom. They are recruiting top-end talents academically as well as athletically and it is very evident this semester. The SASS staff has the privilege of working with such great students and could not be more proud of all of their accomplishments." 

In a record-breaking semester, six UND teams posted their highest team GPAs in its DI era, including three men's teams (track & field – 3.447, hockey – 3.363 and football – 3.167) and three women's squads (cross country – 3.869 (highest semester GPA of any UND team in DI era), track & field – 3.682 and basketball – 3.609

In addition, UND's student-athletes combined for more than 4,000 hours in community service work with organizations like Special Olympics, Samaritan's Feet and Grand Forks Public School District, among many others. 

Some details from the Fall 2019 semester: 
*3.375 Overall Department GPA [highest in DI era (since 2008)]
*23rd Consecutive Semester with 3.0 Overall Department GPA
*278 SA's with a Semester GPA of 3.0 or higher (79% of SAs)
*66 SA's with a semester GPA of 4.0  in Fall 2019
*30 SA's with a cumulative GPA of 4.0
*15 of 15 Programs with a 3.0+ Semester GPA
*36 SA's on President's List 
*63 SA's on Dean's List
*4,005 Community Service Hours