The NCAA News - News and Features

May 26, 1997

Duke's 100 percent graduation rate earns CFA honor

Duke is the recipient of the College Football Foundation's Academic Achievement Award, based on the 100 percent graduation rate it reported to the CFA for members of its 1991-92 football freshman class.

Duke has won or shared the award nine times since it was established in 1981.

The award is presented by the Touchdown Club of Memphis during the annual awards luncheon at the American Football Coaches Association's January convention.

Fifteen other CFA members earned honorable-mention status for reporting graduation rates of 70 percent or better.

Those institutions are Baylor, Florida State, Miami (Florida), Mississippi State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Rice, South Carolina, Southern Methodist, Syracuse, Texas Christian, Tulane, Vanderbilt, Virginia and Wake Forest.

The overall graduation rate of the 57 CFA members participating in this year's survey was 56 percent, a two percent increase from last year.

The survey includes 1991-92 freshmen who received athletically related financial aid as a member of an institution's football squad.

The CFA reported that of student-athletes in that group who completed four years of eligibility, two-thirds have graduated and another 11 percent currently are enrolled and working toward a degree.

Also, an update of information on the 1990-91 freshman class indicates a six-year graduation rate of 75 percent.