MALIBU, Calif. - Pepperdine University's student-athletes achieved a record-setting academic milestone this past year, posting the highest department-wide GPA on record in the 2024-25 academic year.

Overall, the department-wide GPA was 3.324, as 79% of athletes achieved a GPA of 3.0 or greater for the year. Furthermore, 48% posted a 3.5 GPA or greater with 12 student-athletes recording a perfect 4.0 mark.

"This achievement is a testament to the dedication and commitment from our student-athletes to excel in every facet of their experience at Pepperdine," stated Director of Athletics Tanner Gardner. "It also speaks to the hard work from our academic support team and buy-in from our coaching staffs to continue to raise the bar and push our athletes towards future success."

The academic year saw two teams reach new program-bests for their team GPA, while the department as a whole has now increased its overall GPA in four straight years, steadily increasing from the 3.125 mark set in 2021-22.

"I'm incredibly proud of our student-athletes, academic staff and coaches for this achievement," said Jordan Holm, Assistant Director of Athletics - Academics/Student Development/Chaplain. "To excel in the classroom at this level and participate in the highest level of NCAA athletics is an awesome accomplishment, and I am grateful to be at an institution that fosters this development."

"Pepperdine University athletes continuously prove that they are champions not only at their respective sports, but in the classroom," noted Faculty Athletics Representative and Sport Administration Professor Alicia Jessop. "This group of incredible students continuously pushes the bar forward in what they accomplish. Attaining the highest recorded GPA in department history is a testament to their hard work and commitment."

Men's volleyball led the way with a 3.587 team GPA, which marked the highest in program history. 14 student-athletes earned a 3.5 or better on the team, which also reached the NCAA semifinal round.

Leading the way on the women's side was the swim and dive program, which had a 3.575 team GPA. The program saw 23 athletes tab a 3.5 or better with multiple athletes achieving a 4.0 in the spring semester.

Beach volleyball was another team to record a 3.5-plus team GPA, coming in at 3.55. More than 85% of the roster was above 3.0 for the year, with multiple athletes having a perfect 4.0.

Women's soccer came in with a noteworthy 3.547 team mark, marking the fourth program to have a team GPA over 3.5. This included 20 athletes having a 3.5 mark or better.

Women's basketball had a successful year with a 3.478 team GPA, as over 90% of the roster had a 3.5 GPA or better. Women's golf saw a 3.418 team mark with all seven athletes on the team coming in with a 3.0 or better.

Men's tennis contributed to the department's success with a 3.397 team GPA, with over 70% of athletes over the 3.5 threshold.

Women's cross country and track also came in with a 3.397 as 91% (31 athletes) registered a GPA above 3.0 for the year. The program also led the department with four athletes attaining a perfect 4.0 GPAs. On the men's side for cross country and track, the squad had a 3.309 team mark, with 14 of 22 athletes having above a 3.0.

Women's volleyball came in with a 3.298 team mark, as 15 athletes accumulated over a 3.0 for the year. Women's tennis posted a similar 3.282 mark, with six of eight athletes posting a 3.0 or better.

Baseball saw its highest team GPA since the 2019-20 academic year, coming in with a 3.09, which also marked a new program record in the process. 55% of the roster had a 3.0 GPA or better. Water polo posted a new program-best as well on the year, concluding with a 3.08 team average with 13 student athletes achieving over a 3.0.

In addition, men's golf recorded over a 3.0 as a team while men's basketball improved on their 2023-24 team mark as well.

The department's historic success in the classroom comes in the second year of the Building Waves program, Pepperdine athletics' professional development program for student-athletes. The Building Waves Mentorship Program pairs ambitious current student-athletes with accomplished Pepperdine athletics alumni to help clarify career interests, network with alumni, and increase their confidence in their professional abilities.

These achievements in the classroom have also coincided with great success on the field, with the Waves winning five conference championships this past year with six teams reaching NCAA postseason play and six finishing with a final national ranking. Pepperdine also took home the WCC Women's All-Sports Award for the seventh time, while nine Waves earned nine All-American honors in 2024-25.