The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) men’s basketball team has been getting it done off the court recently as the Hawks were ranked No. 1 of all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) men’s basketball teams in graduation success rate at 86-percent. The findings were distributed by the HBCU Digest, who recently named UMES at the top of the chart after researching graduation data of all HBCU programs across the United States.
“We are proud to see our position at the top of the graduation rates,” said UMES Director of Athletics Keith Davidson. “We have prepared our student-athletes to succeed not just in the classroom, but in life as well. These findings are a testament to the hard work put in by our student-athletes and athletic support staff.”
As of the 2012-13 season, UMES has graduated 86-percent of its players from the men’s basketball team. The 86-percent graduation success rate was 11 points higher than the closest school, Bethune-Cookman, who had a rate of 75-percent. UMES had one of the highest changes from the previous year, an 11 point rise from 75-percent in 2011-12.
While standing as the top HBCU men’s basketball program in graduation success rate, the Hawks are also 16 points higher than the NCAA average of 70-percent. UMES is also ranked third of all men’s and women’s HBCU basketball programs. The Howard and Alcorn State women’s basketball programs are the only two higher with an 88-percent clip. The team is just one of four programs altogether with a graduation success rate over 80-percent.
The Hawk women were tied at No. 7 of all HBCU women’s basketball schools. The team held a 73-percent clip, which was the third highest of any MEAC school. The team carried a perfect graduation rate in the 2010-11 season and still stand among the upper tier of all women’s basketball GSR rates in the nation.
Top 5 HBCU Men’s Basketball Programs by Graduation Success Rate
(2012-2013 Season)
1. University of Maryland Eastern Shore (MEAC): 86%
2. Bethune-Cookman University (MEAC): 75%
3. Alcorn State University (SWAC): 67%
4. Hampton University (MEAC): 67%
5. Savannah State University (MEAC): 64%
Top 5 HBCU Women’s Basketball Programs by Graduation Success Rate
(2012-2013 Season)
1. Alabama State University (SWAC): 88%
2. Howard University (MEAC): 88%
3. Alcorn State University (SWAC): 82%
4. Florida A&M University (MEAC): 79%
5. Tennessee State University (OVC): 77%
For the full report on the HBCU Men’s and Women’s basketball programs by graduation success rate, please visit HBCU Digest.
Source: University of Maryland Eastern Shore Athletics
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