INDIANAPOLIS – Fairfield University student-athletes have achieved the highest graduation rate in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and one of the best marks in the nation in the NCAA's annual Graduation Success Rate report. The Stags achieved a 97 percent graduation rate among student-athletes who began their freshman year in 2008. Fairfield was one of 22 Division I programs to boast a GSR of 97 percent or higher in this year's report.

“The latest NCAA report is a testament to the commitment to success in the classroom by our student-athletes as well as the coaches, faculty, staff and administration of Fairfield University,” said Director of Athletics Gene Doris.

Among the 11 institutions that comprise the MAAC, the Stags' 97 percent GSR was followed by a 92 percent GSR from Manhattan College.

Thirteen sports at Fairfield achieved a 100 percent GSR based on the most recent data: men's and women's cross country, field hockey, men's golf, women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, women's swimming and diving, men's and women's tennis, women's rowing and volleyball.

Men's and women's cross country as well as softball have achieved a 100 percent GSR in each of the 11 years that the NCAA has released the information.

The NCAA began compiling data with the entering freshman class of 1995 and developed the GSR in order to more accurately assess the academic success of student-athletes. The GSR includes transfer students and student-athletes who leave in good academic standing. The GSR measures graduation over six years from initial college enrollment.