Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green Wins MAC Institutional Academic Achievement Award
August 25, 2025 | General, Student-Athlete Services
CLEVELAND, Ohio –For the fifth time in program history, Bowling Green State University has been named the winner of the Mid-American Conference Institutional Academic Achievement Award, the league office announced Monday. The award is presented annually to the MAC institution which achieves the highest overall GPA for student-athletes competing in institutionally sponsored sports during the academic year.
BGSU, which won the first two awards ever given in 1995 and 1996, now ranks third all-time in outright wins (5). BGSU has earned this coveted award for the first time since 2010. The Falcons also earned the accolade in 2001.
"This award is a reflection of the incredible commitment of our student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and staff to the academic mission of Bowling Green State University," said Derek van der Merwe, Vice President for Athletics Strategy. "We are proud of the culture of excellence that has been established at BGSU. Success in the classroom not only elevates the student-athlete experience but also positions our graduates to thrive long after their time at Bowling Green."
The 2024–25 academic year marked a historic milestone for Falcon Athletics, as student-athletes achieved unprecedented success both in competition and in the classroom. At the conclusion of the year, BGSU student-athletes posted a record-high 3.51 cumulative GPA, the highest in school history. That mark also stood as the best in the Mid-American Conference and tied for the highest cumulative athletics department GPA among all NCAA Division I institutions in Ohio.
"This was a goal our Student-Athlete Services (SAS) team set at the beginning of the academic year," said Jaysen Spencer Associate AD for Student-Athlete Services. "Achieving it is an incredibly proud moment for all of us. Winning the MAC Institutional Academic Achievement Award for the first time since 2009–10 reflects the extraordinary commitment of our student-athletes to academic excellence, as well as the consistent, behind-the-scenes dedication of our SAS team. We're proud to bring it home to BGSU."
Additional highlights of BGSU's academic success include:
2024-25 Bowling Green State University
2023-24 Ball State University
2022-23 University of Toledo
2021-22 Ball State University
2020-21 Kent State University
2019-20 Western Michigan University
2018-19 University of Toledo
2017-18 University of Toledo
2016-17 Western Michigan University
2015-16 University of Toledo
2014-15 University of Toledo
2013-14 Miami University
2012-13 University of Toledo
2011-12 University of Toledo
2010-11 University of Akron
2009-10 Bowling Green State University
2008-09 Ball State University
2007-08 Northern Illinois University
2006-07 Central Michigan University
2005-06 Central Michigan University
2004-05 Central Michigan University
2003-04 Central Michigan University
2002-03 Central Michigan University
2001-02 Central Michigan University
2000-01 Bowling Green State University
1999-00 Central Michigan University
1998-99 Central Michigan University
1997-98 Central Michigan University
1996-97 Ball State University and Central Michigan University (tie)
1995-96 Bowling Green State University
1994-95 Bowling Green State University
BGSU, which won the first two awards ever given in 1995 and 1996, now ranks third all-time in outright wins (5). BGSU has earned this coveted award for the first time since 2010. The Falcons also earned the accolade in 2001.
"This award is a reflection of the incredible commitment of our student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and staff to the academic mission of Bowling Green State University," said Derek van der Merwe, Vice President for Athletics Strategy. "We are proud of the culture of excellence that has been established at BGSU. Success in the classroom not only elevates the student-athlete experience but also positions our graduates to thrive long after their time at Bowling Green."
The 2024–25 academic year marked a historic milestone for Falcon Athletics, as student-athletes achieved unprecedented success both in competition and in the classroom. At the conclusion of the year, BGSU student-athletes posted a record-high 3.51 cumulative GPA, the highest in school history. That mark also stood as the best in the Mid-American Conference and tied for the highest cumulative athletics department GPA among all NCAA Division I institutions in Ohio.
"This was a goal our Student-Athlete Services (SAS) team set at the beginning of the academic year," said Jaysen Spencer Associate AD for Student-Athlete Services. "Achieving it is an incredibly proud moment for all of us. Winning the MAC Institutional Academic Achievement Award for the first time since 2009–10 reflects the extraordinary commitment of our student-athletes to academic excellence, as well as the consistent, behind-the-scenes dedication of our SAS team. We're proud to bring it home to BGSU."
Additional highlights of BGSU's academic success include:
- All 17 Falcon programs recorded a team GPA of 3.00 or higher, with 13 teams surpassing 3.50.
- 358 student-athletes (85 percent) maintained at least a 3.00 GPA.
- 176 student-athletes (42 percent) carried a GPA of 3.50 or higher.
- 75 student-athletes (18 percent) achieved a perfect 4.00 GPA.
- 13 programs posted perfect single-year APR scores.
- 6 programs achieved a perfect 1,000 multi-year APR.
- 13 of 17 programs earned a single-year APR of 990 or higher.
- Graduation success was another area of excellence, as BGSU Athletics boosts a 91% Graduation Success Rate (GSR).
- Nine 9 teams achieved a perfect 100% GSR
- 12 programs reached 95% or higher.
- For seven consecutive years, men's cross country, men's hockey, women's basketball, women's golf, gymnastics, tennis, and volleyball have maintained perfect GSR scores. Recognition for individual academic achievements was equally impressive:
- 33 student-athletes were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team.
- 11 of the 33 were selected as CSC Academic All-America finalists, honoring their excellence both in academics and athletics.
- Additionally, the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) named six Falcon golfers, to the 2025 WGCA All-American Scholars Team, one of the most prestigious academic honors in collegiate golf.
- Also, 15 gymnastics student-athletes were recognized by WCGA for Academic Excellence.
2024-25 Bowling Green State University
2023-24 Ball State University
2022-23 University of Toledo
2021-22 Ball State University
2020-21 Kent State University
2019-20 Western Michigan University
2018-19 University of Toledo
2017-18 University of Toledo
2016-17 Western Michigan University
2015-16 University of Toledo
2014-15 University of Toledo
2013-14 Miami University
2012-13 University of Toledo
2011-12 University of Toledo
2010-11 University of Akron
2009-10 Bowling Green State University
2008-09 Ball State University
2007-08 Northern Illinois University
2006-07 Central Michigan University
2005-06 Central Michigan University
2004-05 Central Michigan University
2003-04 Central Michigan University
2002-03 Central Michigan University
2001-02 Central Michigan University
2000-01 Bowling Green State University
1999-00 Central Michigan University
1998-99 Central Michigan University
1997-98 Central Michigan University
1996-97 Ball State University and Central Michigan University (tie)
1995-96 Bowling Green State University
1994-95 Bowling Green State University
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