7:50 a.m., June 26, 2007--Five University of Delaware teams are among more than 800 NCAA Division I squads that have earned public recognition awards for their latest Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores.

The Fightin' Blue Hens men's cross country, men's track and field, women's cross country, women's track and field and women's tennis teams all were honored for 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 NCAA Division I academic reform effort.

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, according to 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.”

Among Colonial Athletic Association schools, only the College of William and Mary and James Madison University had more teams honored by the NCAA. William and Mary had 13 teams recognized while James Madison had six.

Also in the CAA, the University of North Carolina Wilmington and Virginia Commonwealth University each had three teams honored, Hofstra University and George Mason University each had two teams honored, and Drexel University and Towson University each had one team honored.

The UD men's track and cross country programs are led by Head Coach Jim Fischer, the women's track and cross country programs are led by Head Coach Sue McGrath-Powell, and the women's tennis program is led by Head Coach Laura Travis.