DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University student-athletes combined for a cumulative grade point average of 3.35 during the Spring 2021 semester, continuing a run of academic success that has included record high GPAs for multiple sports programs.
 
Nearly every NIU program posted a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the conclusion of the spring semester with the student-athletes combining for a spring semester GPA of 3.27, even with every sport except football and cross country competing this spring due to the shift of seasons with the COVID-19 pandemic. NIU student-athletes extended their streak of semesters with a term GPA above 3.0 to 16, dating back eight years.
 
"I am so proud of our Huskie student-athletes," said NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier. "They have once again exceeded expectations while navigating a very challenging semester and year. With all facets of life altered by COVID-19, from classes and tutoring to schedules, travel and testing protocols, they have shown great resiliency and adaptability to achieve these results. Congratulations also go out to the staff in SAASS for their ongoing support of NIU student-athletes."
 
Women's gymnastics led the way among all teams with 3.875 GPA for the spring semester, improving their cumulative GPA to 3.842. Men's tennis led all men's teams and was second only to gymnastics with a 3.842 term GPA. Seven teams finished with GPAs above 3.5 for the spring term and 14 were above 3.0.
 
Contributing to the Huskies' spring GPA numbers were the 64 student-athletes who earned a perfect 4.0 GPA for the spring semester, while 293 finished the term with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. There are 27 student-athletes with a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA, while 306 of NIU's approximately 400 student-athletes have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
 
-- NIU --