SIU athletic departments cite high academic marks, GSR and APR gains amid NIL and transfer challenges

Athletic leaders from Southern Illinois University’s Edwardsville and Carbondale campuses told trustees that student‑athletes continue to perform well academically even as the sport landscape shifts with name, image and likeness (NIL) deals and unprecedented transfer rates.

Andrew Gavin, SIUE vice chancellor and director of athletics, said SIUE student‑athletes compiled a 3.43 department GPA in the fall, with every program above a 3.0 and a 97 Graduation Success Rate (GSR) that ties the institution for first nationally among NCAA public institutions. He said the department recorded 31 Ohio Valley Conference Academic Medal of Honor recipients and highlighted individual student success examples.

Tim Leonard, SIUC athletic director, reported a 3.33 overall department GPA and APR improvements across teams — 7 teams recorded a perfect 1,000 APR — and said SIUC’s single-year GSR for the past year was 93.2, meeting NCAA academic unit requirements. Leonard and Gavin both described challenges posed by the transfer portal and NIL but emphasized academic-support structures, accountability measures for student athletes, and staff and coaching efforts that contribute to retention and graduation.

Trustees praised the reports and expressed condolences after the athletic presentation for Lindsey Schmidt, an academic advisor cited as central to the department’s long-term academic success, who passed away in December.