Academic Successes

On April 28, 2008, more than 200 of our scholar-athletes were recognized for their achievements at the annual Academic Awards Reception. Read more »

In 2006-2007, Texas Tech student-athletes received numerous honors:

• 330 were listed on the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (3.0 GPA or better)
• 96 were named to the Dean’s List (Semester GPA of 3.5 and above)
• 50 were included on the President’s List (perfect 4.0 GPA)
• 68 were selected as Academic All-Big 12
• 7 were selected as Academic All-District

In 2007, four female student-athletes were inducted into the inaugural Texas Tech chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. In April 2008, David Schaefer, a senior blocker on the football team, was the first male student-athlete inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa society. Schaefer, who graduated in May 2008 with a 3.74 grade point average in biochemistry, now attends medical school at the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center.

Texas Tech consistently has many student-athletes selected to Academic All-Big 12 Teams and represented on the Big 12 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll. In past years, Texas Tech student-athletes also have been recognized with the following:

• NCAA post-graduate scholarships
• Verizon Academic All-American of the Year awards
• National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame post-graduate scholarships
• National recognition by the American Football Coaches Association

Supporting high achievers in Raider red and black

There is so much to be proud of at Texas Tech Athletics that you make possible as a Red Raider Club member. During the 2006-07 academic year, 14 student-athletes completed their eligibility while pursuing graduate degrees – the highest number ever.

For the past seven years, Texas Tech Football has been recognized among Division One programs across the country for having one of the highest graduation rates, as measured by the American Football Coaches Association. No other school in the Big 12 has been honored more times than Texas Tech Football.

Currently, a full 75 percent of student-athletes in the football program leave Tech with a degree. Overall, 73 percent of all Texas Tech student-athletes – and 92 percent of all student-athletes who complete their eligibility – graduate. In fact, during the 2006–2007 academic year, student-athletes outperformed the Texas Tech student body in average grade point average.

Instilling leadership and community values

In addition, the young men and women supported through athletic scholarships gain personal, social and leadership skills that serve them for life after they graduate. Student-athletes participate in a variety of community service projects, including building homes with Habitat for Humanity, speaking at elementary and junior high schools and supporting Special Olympics.

For example, in spring 2008, freshman redshirt linebacker Brian Duncan was recognized by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) as one of 11 finalists for its prestigious Sullivan Award. This award, which is presented annually to the nation's top amateur athlete, heavily factors in community and leadership contributions. Duncan, who carries a 3.15 grade point average in general business, has lent his time away from academics and football to leading, mentoring and assisting youth in the Lubbock community.
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The best and brightest – Texas Tech’s Academic All-Americans:

Founded in 1952, the Academic All-American teams program recognizes and awards our nation’s premier college scholar-athletes for their ability to achieve excellence on the playing field and in the classroom. It is the most prestigious national student-athlete award presented by the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America.

Outstanding student-athletes are selected annually from all NCAA championship sports. To be eligible for Academic All-American team honors, a student-athlete must have:

• A minimum 3.20 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale
• A starter or key reserve position on a varsity athletic team
• Reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at his/her current school
• Been nominated by the athletic department’s sports information director
• Been selected to his/her respective Academic All-District first team

These former Texas Tech student-athlete stars have been honored with recognition as Academic All-Americans: