Nine Fordham University athletic teams were among more than 800 Division I squads to be publicly recognized by the NCAA for their latest Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores, posting multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports. The public recognition awards are part of the broad Division I academic reform effort.
Being honored for the Rams are Baseball, Men’s Tennis, Men’s Water Polo, Women’s Crew, Women’s Indoor Track, Women’s Outdoor Track, Women’s Softball, Women’s Tennis and Women’s Volleyball.
“This is an outstanding tribute to the nine Fordham teams who have been recognized,” said Frank McLaughlin, executive director of athletics at Fordham. “All Fordham student-athletes work intensely on balancing their academic and athletic pursuits and we recognize these nine teams for their excellence.”
Fordham leads the Atlantic 10 with nine teams recognized, followed by Xavier with eight. Among conferences, only the Ivy League (eight) and Patriot League (six) had more institutions recognized than the A-10’s five, which was matched by the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“The presidents and chancellors of the Atlantic 10 have made it a priority to make the academics and athletics equation a success,” said Commissioner Linda Bruno. “This recognition just proves that goal is being achieved. I congratulate these institutions as well as all our institutions in the efforts they have made toward this goal.”
The 839 teams receiving awards this year represent 217 Division I colleges and universities, or two-thirds of the 326 institutions that compete in NCAA Division I athletics. High-performing teams receiving awards posted APR scores ranging from 975 to a perfect 1,000, said NCAA President Myles Brand.
“These teams prove once again that student-athletes are students first, and many of them are excellent students,” Brand said. “I want to personally congratulate these teams and their student-athletes who are working hard in their sport and in the classroom and setting a great example for all students.”
Multi-year APR scores for all 6,110 Division I sports teams, including the teams receiving public recognition awards, will be announced May 2.
