APR success for the Hawkeyes

This from UI sports information:

HAWKEYES DO WELL IN NCAA ACADEMIC PROGRESS REPORT (APR)

IOWA CITY, Iowa - All 24 of the sports programs at the University of Iowa are achieving academically at a rate that surpasses the national benchmark and the majority of UI programs are performing at a rate that is better than their peers, according to data released earlier this week by the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA).

Each of the 11 men's and the 13 women's athletics programs at the UI posted Academic Progress Rate (APR) marks well beyond the 925 benchmark that could trigger the immediate loss of scholarships and a ban on post-season competition under certain circumstances.

 

 

 

As announced late last month by the NCAA, the UI's men's cross country and women's golf programs posted perfect APR scores of 1,000 for the 2007-08 academic year and, therefore, finished in the upper 90th percentile within their sport. Iowa's nationally ranked softball program also finished among the upper 90th percentile among its peers with an APR score of 996.

Six additional UI programs finished in the 80th percentile among their peers: Men's basketball (364 APR), men's indoor track (976), men's outdoor track (981), and volleyball (990). The largest year-over-year improvements in APR were posted by the women's tennis team (26 to 966) and wrestling (25 to 958).

"I am very proud of the work of our student-athletes, our coaches, and the outstanding staff in our Athletics Student Services area. These numbers are a direct reflection of their collective commitment to superior achievement academically," said Gary Barta, the UI's director of athletics.

"I also think it's important to single out the work of our highest achievers, the students in our men's cross country, women's golf and softball programs. To rank among the nation's to 90 percent among their peers in academic achievement is simply outstanding,"

When the APR scores of UI teams are compared against the averages of all Division I institutions, all public institutions and all Football Bowl Division institutions - institutions whose football teams whose post-season could include participation in a NCAA-sanctioned bowl game - 20 of Iowa's 24 sports programs posted a better score in all three categories.

Every NCAA Division I sports program calculates its APR each academic year. The calculation is based on the eligibility, retention, and graduation of each scholarship student-athlete. Teams that score below 925 on their four-year rate and have a student-athlete leave their institution academically ineligible can lose up to 10 percent of their scholarships through immediate penalties.

According to the NCAA, the latest APR data supports the belief that academic reform has led to improved behavior in the classroom across the board in nearly every sport. The overall four-year NCAA Division I APR is 964 and the overall single-year rate is up 10 points to 971 compared to five years ago. Meanwhile, the number of student-athletes leaving schools academically ineligible for participation continues to decrease.

"This report is further evidence of the University of Iowa's commitment to its student-athletes and something all friends of the UI and fans our the Hawkeyes can take great pride in," said Fred Mims, Iowa's associate athletics director for student services and compliance.

NCAA 2007-08 ACADEMIC PROGRESS RATES

Men's Sports Programs

Baseball

974

80th percentile within sport

946 - All Division I

Basketball

964

80th percentile within sport

933 - All Division I

Cross Country

1,000

90th percentile within sport

964 - All Division I

Football

946

60th percentile within sport

939 - All Division I

Golf

969

50th percentile within sport

963 - All Division I

Gymnastics

982

50th percentile within sport

978 - All Division I

Swimming

939

10th percentile within sport

967 - All Division I

Tennis

984

70th percentile within sport

964 - All Division I

Indoor Track

976

80th percentile within sport

953 - All Division I

Outdoor Track

981

80th percentile within sport

954 - All Division I

Wrestling

958

50th percentile within sport

948 - All Division I

 Women's Sports Programs

Basketball

973

60th percentile within sport

971 - All Division I

Cross Country

985

60th percentile within sport

971 - All Division I

Field Hockey

989

50th percentile within sport

985 - All Division I

Golf

1,000

90th percentile within sport

976 - All Division I

Gymnastics

977

20th percentile within sport

983 - All Division I

Rowing

976

10th percentile within sport

984 - All Division I

Soccer

971

30th percentile within sport

973 - All Division I

Softball

996

90th percentile within sport

979 - All Division I

Swimming

985

50th percentile within sport

979 - All Division I

Tennis

966

30th percentile within sport

974 - All Division I

Indoor Track

981

70th percentile within sport

965 - All Division I

Outdoor Track

988

80th percentile within sport

966 - All Division I

Volleyball

990

80th percentile within sport

972 - All Division I