Hawaii Athletes Hit Record 3.33 GPA While Winning Games

Student-athletes at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa shattered academic records this year, finishing with a 3.33 cumulative GPA. It's the highest mark in the program's entire recorded history.

The achievement came during the 2025-26 academic year, when 132 student-athletes earned perfect 4.0 semester GPAs. Another 25 finished spring semester with perfect 4.0 cumulative averages, showing consistent excellence over multiple terms.

All 21 teams at UH Mānoa posted GPAs above 2.99, with 18 teams clearing the 3.20 mark. Eleven teams soared above 3.50, proving that academic success spans every sport on campus.

The wins extended beyond grades. A total of 174 student-athletes earned degrees during the year, including 121 in spring alone. Football placekicker Kansei Matsuzawa became an Academic All-American with his 3.68 GPA.

Athletics Director Matt Elliott credits a comprehensive support system. The department focuses on nutrition, travel resources, health, and academic services to help athletes thrive in both arenas.

The graduation numbers tell an equally powerful story. UH Mānoa reported an 87% NCAA Student-Athlete Graduation Success Rate, marking the third consecutive year of improvement. The four-year Academic Progress Rate hit 977, with five teams earning perfect 1,000 scores.

The Ripple Effect

This achievement shows Hawaii's next generation what's possible when institutions invest in holistic student success. The 87 students who received Alston Academic Awards during the year now serve as role models for incoming athletes and traditional students alike.

Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services Garrett Clanin and his team created a culture where excellence in sports and academics aren't competing priorities. They're complementary goals that reinforce each other.

The message resonates beyond Mānoa's campus. When student-athletes graduate with strong GPAs and degrees, they enter their communities as leaders who've already proven they can balance multiple demanding commitments.

Elliott emphasized the long-term vision: bringing students in not just for one game or season, but ensuring they graduate and become lifelong alumni. That commitment transforms how athletes view their college experience.

These graduates will carry their work ethic, time management skills, and resilience into careers across Hawaii and beyond. They're proof that supporting student success creates returns that last generations.