INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Lamar University student-athletes set a new benchmark in the classroom as the Cardinals recorded an 80-percent graduation success rate (GSR) in the most recent cohort (2015-2021) announced the NCAA Tuesday morning.
 
All 17 of LU's varsity sports finished higher than the federal graduation rate.
 
In 2016, the NCAA announced an eight-year extension of its Multimedia rights agreement with CBS Sports and Turner, for the Division I Men's Basketball Championship. Beginning in Spring 2020, a portion of the Division I revenue is distributed to member schools based on the academic achievement of student-athletes. The model allowed schools with higher graduation rates and academic success to qualify for more funds.
 
"We want our students to reach their highest potential in their respective sports but, more importantly, we want to help them achieve that next step in life after sports," said LU Director of Athletics Jeff O'Malley. "We are proud to play a part in the NCAA improving GSR numbers on a national level. I applaud the hard work of our student-athletes and also want to thank our support staff who work to assist our athletes in pursuit of their career goals."  
 
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors created the GSR in 2002 in response to Division I college and university presidents who wanted data that more accurately reflected the mobility of college students beyond what the federal graduation rate measures.