Six UP Teams Recognized for Academic Excellence by NCAA

Six University of Portland Teams Recognized for Academic Excellence by NCAA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2012

On the Web: LINK

Six University of Portland athletics teams were honored for earning Public Recognition Awards based on their most recent multi-year Academic Progress Rate, the NCAA announced on Thursday. These awards are given each year to teams with APRs in the top 10 percent in each sport. Portland’s recognized programs included men’s basketball, women’s soccer, women’s cross country, women’s indoor and outdoor track, and volleyball.

The women’s soccer and volleyball teams have now been recognized six consecutive years, while the women’s indoor and outdoor track programs earned their third straight awards. Men’s basketball and women’s cross country were recognized for the first time. The six programs recognized were the most of any West Coast Conference institution as the league had a total of 19 programs honored.

Full APRs for all teams, including access to postseason play and penalties for low-performing teams, will be released June 20.

The 954 teams publicly recognized this year for high achievement represent 560 women’s teams and 394 men’s or mixed squads. In 2011, 909 teams were recognized.

Top performing APRs this year ranged from 978 to a perfect 1,000, with the majority of teams earning a perfect APR. The number of teams in some sports may exceed 10 percent depending on the number of perfect scores.

“These teams prove that it is possible to not only balance academic and athletic commitment, as most student-athletes do; but to exceed standards and post outstanding academic scores,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert. “The drive and determination shown in the classroom and on the field by these men and women represent what it means to be an NCAA student-athlete.”

Each year, the NCAA tracks the classroom performance of student-athletes on every Division I team through the annual scorecard of academic achievement, known as APR. The score measures eligibility and retention each semester or quarter and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport. The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years.

blacksheep wrote:I love that the kids we watch out on the court are also doing well in the classroom. Great job guys!

Also, a big kudos to Rev for not only recruiting a quality student athlete, but also for making sure they hit the books. It's good to see UP taking the student part seriously.

Overall

1. San Diego 76.5
2. BYU 69.0
3. Pepperdine 67.5
4. Saint Mary's 65.0
5. San Francisco 61.5
6. Loyola Marymount 58.0
7. Gonzaga 54.5
8. Santa Clara 54.0
9. Portland 47.0

Men's All-Sports

1. Saint Mary's 35.0
2. San Diego 32.5
3. BYU 32.0
4t. Loyola Marymount 31.0
4t. San Francisco 31.0
6. Gonzaga 28.0
7. Santa Clara 26.0
8. Pepperdine 25.0
9. Portland 24.5

Women's All-Sports

1. San Diego 44.0
2. Pepperdine 42.5
3. BYU 37.0
4. San Francisco 30.5
5. Saint Mary's 30.0
6. Santa Clara 28.0
7. Loyola Marymount 27.0
8. Gonzaga 26.5
9. Portland 22.5

The positive: The APR (Academic Progress Rate) has improved.

The negative: Ten schools, led by UConn, are ineligible for the postseason this coming season due to insufficient academics.

The APR is in its ninth year and is based on eligibility and retention. The premise is well-intended, but the system still needs to be tweaked and refined.

The average four-year APR for men's basketball is 950, which is five points higher than a year ago. The standard for postseason access starts at 900, but climbs to a 930 over the next few years.

Fifteen overall teams won't be eligible for the postseason -- as compared to eight a year ago. Ten of the 15 are men's basketball teams:

UConn (889 multi-year rate)
Towson (873 multi-year rate)
UNC-Wilmington (890 multi-year rate)
Toledo (869 multi-year rate)
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (887 multi-year rate)
Cal State Bakersfield (879 multi-year rate)
Jacksonville State (889 multi-year rate)
Mississippi Valley State (865 multi-year rate)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (885 multi-year rate)
Cal Riverside (887 multi-year rate)