5:13 p.m., May 3, 2007--The NCAA is honoring more than 800 Division I sports teams with public recognition awards for their latest Academic Progress Rate scores, including five varsity teams at the University of Delaware.
These teams posted multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports, according to the NCAA. The public recognition awards are part of the broad Division I academic reform effort.
The five Fightin' Blue Hens programs recognized are men's and women's cross country, men's and women's tennis and women's soccer.
"I am pleased that five of our teams were so honored,” UD Director of Athletics Edgar Johnson said, adding, “We have much to be proud of. Our retention rates are high and the graduation rate of our scholar-athletes remains well above the national average for scholar-athletes. I salute UD Student Services for Athletes, our coaches and the athletes themselves for this achievement and recognition. It is well deserved."
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, NCAA President Myles Brand said.
“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.”
Of the teams receiving awards for their latest academic performance are 366 men's and mixed teams and 473 women's teams. The men's sports with the highest number of teams garnering public recognition are golf (51), cross country (49) and tennis (40). The women's sports with the highest number of teams receiving awards are tennis (64), volleyball (54) and golf (52).
The public recognition awards by sport and institution are listed on the NCAA website at [www.ncaa.org].
