Basketball APR Jumps 20 Points

Basketball APR Jumps 20 Points

May 8, 2009

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.

The APR for the UI men’s basketball program jumped 20 points to 964, a mark that ranks in the 80th percentile nationally and is better than the averages for men’s basketball programs at all Division I institutions (933), all public institutions (924) and all Football Bowl Division institutions (934).

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,”

The APR for the UI men’s basketball program jumped 20 points to 964, a mark that ranks in the 80th percentile nationally and is better than the averages for men’s basketball programs at all Division I institutions (933), all public institutions (924) and all Football Bowl Division institutions (934).

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