Tartans Excel Academically and Athletically Despite COVID-19 Challenges

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – Carnegie Mellon University student-athletes continued a hybrid school year in the spring, and once able to return to competition in March for abbreviated seasons, shined in their fields of play while continuing to excel in their fields of study. For the second straight semester, more than 71 percent of the student-athletes earned a 3.50 grade point average or better, with 172 achieving a 4.0 GPA.

All 19 varsity athletic programs achieved a 3.46 GPA or better, with the females recording a 3.64 average GPA and the males a 3.62 average. Of the 172 4.0s, 45 came from first-years, 35 from sophomores, 49 from juniors, 38 from seniors, three from fifth-year students, and two from graduate students.

“When we pause to think about all that our students faced throughout the year, their academic performance is nothing short of remarkable,” said Director of Athletics Josh Centor. “Our Tartans represent excellence across multiple domains, and we are so proud of them.”

The 11-member women’s golf team, which finished second at the NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championship, led the way with a 3.82 GPA, including 10 students who recorded a 3.50 or better with four earning a 4.0. The women’s basketball and volleyball teams each recorded a 3.73 GPA with the women’s soccer team just behind them at a 3.72 team GPA. The softball team achieved a 3.69 GPA and secured the program’s second winning season in three years of competition with a 15-6-1 record.

The men’s soccer team went 3-0 in their competition this spring and finished with a 3.76 GPA to lead the men’s programs. Eleven students earned a 4.0 with 24 achieving a 3.50 or better. The men’s tennis team was not far behind with a 3.75 GPA, as they earned a trip to the NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Championship, advancing to the third round while finishing the year ranked 14th in the nation.

The men’s track and field team had five athletes compete at the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships, finishing a program-best 16th with four All-America honors. The 77-member team achieved a 3.54 GPA with 26 4.0s and 52 with a 3.50 or better.

On top of the semester success, 19 upperclassmen maintained cumulative GPA’s of 4.0. The success was widespread among the colleges, as 67 students with 4.0s were enrolled in the College of Engineering, 39 in the Tepper School of Business, 37 in Dietrich College, 14 in the Mellon College of Science, 10 in the School of Computer Science, and five in the College of Fine Arts.