NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Southern Connecticut State University student-athletes excelled in the classroom during the fall, 2012 semester. As a group, the Owls' 395 student-athletes combined to record an all-time high with a semester grade point average of 3.057.

“The academic success achieved individually and collectively by our student-athletes this past semester continues to demonstrate their presence as outstanding ambassadors for Southern Connecticut State University,” said Director of Athletics Patricia D. Nicol. “These great accomplishments could not be achieved without tremendous support from our university administration, faculty and staff, as well as our coaching staff and athletic administration. I offer my congratulations to our coaches and student-athletes for their distinguished accomplishments.”

Eleven of the Owls' 19 programs achieved a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher during the fall semester. The women's cross country team posted a 3.84 team GPA to lead all programs, while the men's basketball team's 3.11 GPA was tops among men's squads in the fall.

On the individual front, 54-percent of Southern Connecticut's student-athletes achieved a semester grade point average of at least a 3.0. One hundred and four student-athletes registered a semester GPA of a 3.5 or higher, with nine student-athletes scoring a perfect 4.0 GPA during the semester.

Here's a quick snapshot of the department's academic highlights in the fall semester:

• All student-athletes combined for 3.057 grade point average
• 11 of 19 teams with 3.0 team semester GPA or higher
• 54% of student-athletes with 3.0 semester GPA or higher
• 104 student-athletes with 3.5 semester GPA or higher
• 9 student-athletes with 4.0 semester GPA