Division I Graduation Success Rate climbs to 77 percent

The only thing is, the data is from 1996-1999, correct?

The years reflect a data set for the classes that entered college in years 1996 through 1999. So, the 1996-1999 would have graduated 2000-2003. I’m sure it takes time for NCAA colleges & universities to report the data, the NCAA to verify, and publish the results.

They may wait for those on the 5-6 year program??? Heck I was on the 25 year program… My alma mater sweat shirt reads “SEVERAL UNIVERSITIES”.

These are also the three men's sports that are effected by professional sports drafts and dreams the most. It would be an interesting study to see how many of these athletes were drafted, seriously injured and/or were not particularly prepared for college educationally. I realize this would have to be a more comprehensive study.

Folks would probably be surprised that the overall graduation of incoming freshman students is actually lower than many groups of student athletes.

I think there are very important questions to ask during recruiting especially if the school has players drafted after their junior year.
What are the expectations for those that leave early to graduate? We were told straight up, that players return and graduation is expected, eventually. They have many programs in place to help former players achieve that goal. And for those who use up eligibility and have not graduated, you graduate.
It's important to find out their philosophy (it was for us anyway) on getting as many graduated as possible.
There are even work progams in place for those that have graduated, and want to contiue their education.

A friends son who is a college senior, plays D1 football at a Big 10 school and for the most part has not played a down in 4 years. His dad told me that his GPA and willingness to be a blocking dummy was the only reason he was on the team. It was so important that his 4.0 GPA and the fact he will be a 4 year grad was factored into the team average that he was easily worth the scholly money. This is not a guess on their part, it is what they were told.

Stats can be manipulated to what ever flavor you want to taste. Personally I could give a darn about the schools grad rate, I care about my sons graduation, and the fact that he has all the schools academic tools available to him. Sounds selfish, sure, but if every parent sent their kid into school with that attitude we wouldn't be talking about grad %. It all comes down to going to school for the wrong reason and that's a family issue and not my business.

rz,
I do believe you are correct.

Baseball coaches also recruit based on that, but not so obvious (big programs). They factor into their recruiting class who likely will graduate and who will not. And I'll bet that at after draft time there is a whole lot of disussion going on about the benefits of staying and graduating.
I don't really care about graduation rates following classes back from 1995 either. I am more interested in what they are going to do to help my son get his degree, if they feel it is important if he should leave before he earns his degree.