Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcon Football Makes The Grade
June 23, 2003 | Football
June 23, 2003
Bowling Green, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University football program has been honored by the American Football Coaches Association for posting a graduation rate of 70% or better. It marked the sixth time in eight years, that the Falcon football program has been recognized by the AFCA for its graduation rate. The study involves the freshman class from the academic year of 1997-98, including those who entered at that time but who did not receive financial aid until after their initial year, or who transferred from another institution and subsequently received a grant-in-aid.
BGSU is one of five Mid-American Conference school's (Ball State, Buffalo, Marshall, Western Michigan) to be recognized, which ties the Cleveland-based conference with the Big Ten and Big XII for the most institutions to be honored. BGSU also joins Cincinnati as the only two Division IA representatives from Ohio. In addition, BGSU is among 11 schools to earn the award who also were ranked among the nation's top 25 last year.
BGSU is one of five Mid-American Conference school's (Ball State, Buffalo, MArshall, Western Michigan) to be recognized, which ties the Cleveland-based conference with the Big Ten and Big XII for the most institutions to be honored. BGSU also joins CIncinnati as the only two Division IA representatives from Ohio. In addition, BGSU is among 11 schools to earn the award who also were ranked among the nation's top 25 last year.
Duke University will receive the American Football Coaches Association's 2003 Academic Achievement Award, which is presented annually by the Touchdown Club of Memphis. The school recorded a 100 percent graduation.
Six institutions achieved a rate of 90 percent or better: Boston College, Connecticut, Northwestern, Rice, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest.
Others receiving honorable mention with a rate of 70 percent or better: Ball State, Baylor, BGSU , Buffalo, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Marshall, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Purdue, South Carolina, Southern Methodist, Southern Mississippi, Texas Christian, Texas Tech, Tulane, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Western Michigan.
This past year, BGSU had 16 football letterwinners earn their degree including: Marcus Allen (Liberal Studies), Joe Alls (Sociology), Pat Fleming (Exercise Specialist), Chris Glantzis (Film Studies), Robert Haley (Business Systems), Chris Haneline (Criminal Justice), Greg Kupke (Education), Godfrey Lewis (Sociology), Sergio Lund (Physical Education), Jon Mazur (Physical Education), D. J. Owchar (Interpersonal Communication), Robert Redd (Sociology), Andy Sahm (Architectural Studies), Jason Van Dam (Pre-Law), Jerry Wagner (Interpersonal Communication) and Dennis Wendel (Business Education).
The overall graduation rate of the 102 I-A schools that responded was 59 percent, one percent less than the previous year. Fifty-one of the members responding were above the average and 51 were below the average. The median graduation rate was 59 percent, compared to 61 percent last year and 58 percent the four previous years.
