WILMINGTON, N.C. – With an outstanding track record of producing top-flight student-athletes, UNC Wilmington has once again excelled in the latest graduation success rates released by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

      In figures announced by the NCAA on Tuesday, the Seahawks posted a graduation success rate (GSR) of 90 percent overall, with nearly half of UNCW’s teams racking up a perfect 100 percent mark. UNCW stood fifth out of the state’s 17 NCAA Division I institutions, trailing only Davidson, Duke, Wake Forest and Campbell in the rankings.

      UNCW also finished second only to William & Mary in the listing of the Colonial Athletic Association’s 12 schools. W&M checked in with a 95 percent GSR, compared to UNCW’s 90 percent.

      “We’re pleased with this latest report and believe it’s indicative of how serious our student-athletes are about their studies,” said Kelly Mehrtens, UNCW’s second-year athletic director. “Our student-athletes are working hard to achieve success inside and outside the athletic arena, and realize they are preparing for their futures following graduation.”

      In the detailed study, UNCW’s men’s basketball, men’s golf, men’s soccer, men’s tennis, women’s basketball, women’s golf and women’s tennis teams each achieved a 100 percent graduation rate.

      The GSR, introduced six years ago, was developed by the NCAA as part of its academic reform initiative to more accurately assess the academic success of student-athletes. Under the GSR calculation, institutions are not penalized for outgoing transfer students who leave in good academic standing. Tuesday’s numbers are based on the four entering freshmen classes in NCAA Division I from 1998-99 through 2001-02.