Hempstead, NY - The NCAA has released its annual Graduation Success Rate data for incoming student-athletes from 2010-2013, and Hofstra University student-athletes compiled an impressive student-athlete graduation success rate of 88%. 

The NCAA's GSR metric allows student-athletes six years to earn their degrees. This year's rate is based on the average of student-athletes who enrolled in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. These classes must have graduated within six years of their enrollment. 

"We continue to be amazed by the outstanding work of the Hofstra student-athletes," commented Hofstra Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. "These strong outcomes are a testament to the hard work of our student-athletes, coaches, and academic support staff. We thank everyone for their dedication and commitment to excellence."

For the third straight year at least nine Hofstra teams posted 100% GSR with field hockey, men's golf, softball, women's basketball, women's cross country/track, women's golf, women's lacrosse, women's tennis, and volleyball had perfect GSRs. Every Hofstra program posted GSRs higher or equal to (100%) the national federal rate. 

Several Hofstra teams have impressive streaks as the following programs have had perfect GSRs for two or more years in a row: women's golf (14), men's golf (9), field hockey (8), softball (7), women's cross country/track (4), women's tennis (4), women's basketball (3), women's lacrosse (3), and volleyball (3). 

The 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. The federal rate counts as an academic failure any student who leaves a school, no matter whether he or she enrolls at another school. Also, the federal rate does not recognize students who enter school as transfer students.

The GSR formula removes from the rate student-athletes who leave school while academically eligible and includes student-athletes who transfer to a school after initially enrolling elsewhere. This calculation provides a more accurate appraisal of student-athlete success.

The rate also allows for a deeper understanding of graduation success in individual sports than the federal metric, which provides only broad groupings.