Virginia Football honored with Academic Achievement Award for perfect grad rate

On the field, Virginia Football has improved immensely, making its first bowl game since 2011 with its selection to the 2017 Military Bowl. The success seen by the Hoos isn’t limited to the gridiron, however.

For the third time in program history and the first time since 1986, the Cavaliers were recognized with the 2017 Academic Achievement Award by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Virginia is one of seven teams - along with Alabama, Cincinnati, Middle Tennessee State, Northwestern, Utah and Utah State - to be recognized this year.

The AFCA takes a six-year window into account, meaning the 2010 entering class was the one focused on for the award. The NCAA’s Graduation Success Rate is used to determine the winner, and per Virginia Sports, “...the criteria for the AFCA’s Academic Achievement Award is based on the highest NCAA GSR, with at least 15 students in the GSR Cohort, and a Federal Graduation Rate of 75 percent or better.”

While this is just Virginia’s third time being recognized for the top award, the Hoos have been honored 25 times for graduating at least 75% of their players. The 2010 class included players like Morgan Moses, Jake McGee, Khalek “KHALEEEEK GET OFF THE FIELD” Shepherd, Kevin Parks, and EJ Scott.

It was a good week for Virginia Football student athletes as fifth year defensive standout Micah Kiser won Virginia’s second Campbell Trophy - aka the Academic Heisman - on Tuesday night.