Dec. 21, 2004
ORLANDO - The UCF football team had its best fall semester team grade point average in the school's Division I-A history with a mark of 2.779 during the 2004 fall semester. Under head coach George O'Leary, the Golden Knights recorded the top team GPA during football season since becoming a Division I-A football member in 1996.
O'Leary's first recruiting class showed 82% of the class receiving academic honor roll honors, which consists of a grade point average of 3.00 or higher. The impressive honor roll number was not limited to the newcomers, as 40% of the entire team earned a 3.00 GPA or higher during the fall 2004 semester.
UCF's returning players boast a team grade point average of 2.85 heading into spring practice. Two members of the football team earned perfect 4.00 grade point averages as well.
"The team's GPA has improved each semester since the hiring of Coach O'Leary," commented UCF Academic Services for Student-Athletes advisor Kristy Belden. "I am glad to see the players enjoying academic success and so many on the athletic academic honor roll!"
In addition, four current football players graduated in December. Seniors Alex Haynes, Tavaris Capers, Gerren Bray and Atari Bigby all earned their degrees from UCF.