Portland Maine News

At the conclusion of the semester, Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) Associate Dean of Athletics and Alumni Affairs Matt Richards published the findings of the semi-annual Fall 2022 Athletics Engagement and Academic Report. The report shows student-athlete GPAs and retention rates based on United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) normal progress rules for athletic participation eligibility—a  higher threshold than those standards of the College.

Spring 2022

• Total student-athletes: 125 (14 percent more than fall 2021)
• Overall student-athlete GPA: 2.78 (same as fall 2021)
• Fall 2022-Spring 2023 USCAA retention rate: 89% (same as fall 2021-spring 2022)
• Student-athletes earning a 3.0 GPA or better: 60 (49 percent of total student-athletes)
• Best team GPA: women’s soccer (3.13)
• Best team retention rate: men’s basketball (100%)

In strategic review of the data Richards stated, “Our student-athletes’ successes in the classroom exemplify the goals that we set forth as a department—which is to be competitive on the playing surface and be role models within the academic community.”

Athletics is planned to open its Student-Athlete Academic Success Center, a newly renovated space inside the HUB Athletic Center, this spring 2023 semester. The space will be utilized in a strategic initiative to provide the resources and meet the demands of accomplishing as a student-athlete.

Richards further added, “Through generous support of the Seawolves Athletic Club and some special donors, I’m looking forward to the opening of the new Student-Athlete Academic Success Center. This space will enhance our student-athletes’ academic efforts and build upon the positive traditions of academic retention in the department.”

Original source can be found here