Regardless of their team's record or the individual records they're chasing, UNM athletes appear to have mastered the most important sport of all - academics.
For the third-consecutive semester, all student athletes at the University had on average grades above the coveted 3.0 mark, according to UNM figures.
The athletes' cumulative fall grades, released Tuesday, showed an impressive 3.02 GPA among UNM's 484 students who juggle varsity athletics along with their studies.
"We're extremely proud of all of our athletes who are capable of balancing academics and athletics during these busy times in their lives," said Danny Trujillo, assistant athletic director in charge of academic advisement. "We really emphasize academics, which is what these kids are here for in the end."
The fall's 3.02 average is just shy of the University's all-time high athlete GPA of 3.04, achieved in the spring of 2003.
Trujillo said a supportive and understanding faculty deserve much of the praise for the athletes' success in the classroom, who accommodate them during their many out-of-town games and absences from class during their respective sports' season.
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"It is also a credit to the coaching staffs here, who are focusing on bringing better academically prepared athletes to UNM," he said.
Women's sports forged the academic path last semester, with skiing (3.52) and basketball (3.44) leading the way.
Skiing (3.36) and golf (3.33) were the leaders of the men's sports.
"The same personal discipline necessary to be successful in the classroom is what's needed on the athletic field," said UNM skiing head coach George Brooks. "It's a testament to our Athletics Department to be doing so well in both departments."
Brooks said the academic success of the student athletes is a good sign for the future of UNM athletics.
"When the Athletics Department is in sync with the academic requirements of the University, it can only mean good things for the future," he said.
UNM's track team (2.98), including indoor and outdoor track and cross country, was the only women's team not to crack the 3.0 mark.
Men's baseball (2.87) and basketball (2.74) were among the lowest GPAs of men's sports, but both remained close to previous semesters' finishes.
The football team (2.63) also did worse this year, but was chasing an all-time team high of 2.69 set last year.
The men's basketball team's grades have improved steadily over the past two years, never dropping below 2.5 since head coach Ritchie McKay took over.
"We've never forgotten that academics is the most important thing here at this University," McKay said. "We want our athletes to be successful in every aspect of their lives. The classroom is no exception."
