The NCAA Academic Performance Ratings have been announced and Kennesaw State’s student-athletes as a whole surpassed the regular school population in graduation rate and grade point average categories.15 of KSU’s 16 athletic teams surpassed the NCAA’s academic performance rating standard, with one sport, men’s basketball, falling below NCAA’s minimum score of 925. As a result, Owls new men’s basketball coach Lewis Preston will begin rebuilding a program that will endure the loss of two scholarships, plus a reduction in practice and contact time for the 2011-12 academic year. The one year sanction includes the loss of one day per week of practice time, game days included. The number of hours of contact between the student-athletes and the coaching staff throughout the school year will be reduced from 20 to 16 hours per week.

Newly appointed Athletic Director Vaughn Williams has emphasized that the athletic department is taking immediate steps to correct the academic deficiencies within the men’s basketball program.

“The hiring of coach Preston, who emphasizes academics, discipline, and the building of character was an important step,” said Williams. “We have instigated a two-pronged course of action. First, we’ve added an additional staff member to an already excellent academic support program. Second, we have instituted a faculty mentor program that deals with life skills and adjusting to the unique needs of the student-athlete.”

“This is a one sport issue, not an institutional issue. I congratulate all those student athletes who are champions in the classroom as well as on the fields and arenas of sport”

In the fall and spring terms of the 2010-11 athletic year, KSU athletic teams as a whole registered a 3.03 grade point average. 13.1% of Kennesaw State’s student athletes earned a 4.0 point GPA, with 61.2% tallying a 3.0 point GPA or higher. Four teams had perfect Academic Performance Rating of 1000.

The 4 class graduation rate for all students on campus was 34%, while the student- athlete at KSU had a 4 class average of 54%. Over a 6 year period the Federal Graduation rate for student-athletes at KSU is 76% compared with the all-student rate of 38%.

“I can assure you that KSU athletics believes that academics and athletics go hand- in-hand, and we will do everything in our power to give every student-athlete the opportunity and support to reach their fullest potential,” Williams said.