SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? The Southern Conference topped the national average in Academic Progress Report (APR) scores in 15 of 19 league sports based on data released by the National Collegiate Athletic Association Wednesday.  Nine of the ten men’s sports sponsored by the conference had higher four-year APR scores than the national average, while six women’s topped the average for Division I.

 

The NCAA’s APR scores released Wednesday are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, and 2007-08 academic years.  The APR report is part of the NCAA’s overall Division I academic reform effort.

 

“APR scores and student-athlete graduation rates continue to be a high priority for our Presidents, Chancellors and athletic administrators,” said SoCon Commissioner John Iamarino. “It’s gratifying to see our figures exceed Division I averages in so many cases.”

 

In addition to the favorable comparison to the national averages, the conference also fared well when compared to other peer FCS conferences. All ten SoCon sponsored men’s sports finished in the top half of the APR data compared to other FCS conferences.  Five women’s sports posted scores in the top half of all FCS conferences. 

 

Women’s Indoor Track and Field posted the best APR in the conference with a score of 984.  Golf earned the highest score on the men’s side with a mark of 975.

 

SoCon Average Above NCAA Division I Average

 

Men’s Sports                                                                                                       Women’s Sports

Baseball                                                                                                                Basketball

Basketball                                                                                                             Cross Country

Cross Country                                                                                                      Soccer

Football                                                                                                                 Indoor Track

Golf                                                                                                                         Outdoor Track

Soccer                                                                                                                   Volleyball

Tennis

Indoor Track

Outdoor Track

 

SoCon Sports In Top Half of FCS Conferences

 

Men’s Sports                                                                                                       Women’s Sports

Baseball ? 5th                                                                                                      Basketball ? 3rd

Basketball ? 5th                                                                                                   Cross Country ? 5th

Cross Country ? 3rd                                                                                           Indoor Track ? 3rd

Football ? 4th                                                                                                       Outdoor Track ? 3rd

Golf ? 3rd                                                                                                              Volleyball ? 6th

Soccer ? 4th                                                                                                        

Tennis ? 5th

Indoor Track ? 3rd

Outdoor Track ? 3rd

 

 

ABOUT THE APR

The most recent APR scores are multi-year rates based on the scores from the 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 academic years. The public recognition awards are part of the overall Division I academic reform effort.

The APR provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete. The APR includes eligibility, retention, and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.