LA JOLLA, Calif. -- The UC San Diego athletics program is proud to pay tribute to its more than 500 scholar-athletes today as part of National Student-Athlete Day.
Created in 1987 by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (now called the Institute for Sport & Social Justice), National Student-Athlete Day is celebrated each April 6 to promote the positive virtues of sport, student-athletes and whole and the positive affect they both have on society.
Despite a myriad of challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, UC San Diego is currently in its first year of transition into NCAA Division I after a highly successful 20-year membership in Division II. The Tritons were a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association during its entire time in Division II, claimed eight commissioner's cup titles and finished among the top 10 nationally in the Learfield/IMG College Director's Cup 15 times.
As the department continues to demonstrate its dedication to ensuring that education and athletic excellence develop inclusive leaders for life and enrich and engage the university and its community, it is important to note the academic success of its scholar-athletes. 433 of 513 current Triton scholar-athletes (85%) carry a 3.0 grade point average or better.
More than 80 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38, including recently graduated women's soccer senior Natalie Saddic, have been awarded prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships.
"As one of the world's preeminent academic institutions, our scholar-athletes continue to achieve nationally-recognized success in the classroom," Director of Athletics Earl W. Edwards remarked recently. "The federal graduation rate of Triton scholar-athlete sits at 90 percent, the highest among all public institutions in Division I and II combined."
The cumulative grade point average of Triton scholar-athletes in 2019-20 was a 3.31 with 81 percent of the athlete population earning Athletic Director's Honor Roll honors, which requires at least a 3.0 gpa.
In a year punctuated worldwide by issues of race and social justice, Triton scholar-athletes consistently rise-up to meet the need to cultivate a diverse, inclusive and anti-racist culture. By using their voices as agents of change, UC San Diego scholar-athletes spearheaded a successful voting initiative, conducted numerous forums to discuss ways to combat racism and were lauded for their effort to support the Black community during a time when solidarity is needed.
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.
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Return To Sport…Safely
In order for UC San Diego scholar-athletes to be permitted to return to training and competition safely and within federal, state, local, and university guidelines, the athletic department implemented a number of measures designed to complement and enhance the university's highly-successful Return To Learn program. Notable actions include being physically distanced when practical, including during out-of-season training sessions; wearing masks, except when undergoing physically strenuous exercise; and maintaining proper hygiene. Athletes, coaches, and staff are testing at a higher frequency than the campus population, teams adhere to CDC, NCAA, and Big West Conference guidelines, and department officials participate in regular meetings with conference and university-affiliated physicians and the UC San Diego emergency operations staff.
