SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference ranked among the nation’s top performers in Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores released by the National Collegiate Athletics Association on Tuesday (June 11). 

Eight Southern Conference sports (football, men’s basketball, men’s cross country, women’s basketball, women’s cross country, women’s indoor track & field, women’s outdoor track & field and women’s tennis) ranked in the top 10 in Division I based upon their four-year averages. 

The NCAA’s APR scores released Tuesday are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 academic years.  The APR report is part of the NCAA’s overall Division I academic reform effort.

Southern Conference men’s basketball posted a four-year average of 965, which ranks seventh nationally.  Football has a four-year average of 960, which is fifth nationally and third in the Football Championship Subdivision.  The 965 in men’s basketball mirrors the sport’s score from a year ago, while football teams improved on their 958 APR in 2011.  Women’s basketball ranked eighth nationally among all Division I leagues with a 980 score.

Women’s cross country posted the best APR in the conference with a score of 992 and was ranked sixth nationally.  Women’s tennis was close behind with a four-year average of 989.  Men’s cross country earned the highest score on the men’s side with a mark of 984.

The Southern Conference posted a single-year APR of 982 in 2012, which ranked third among FCS conferences and fifth out of 31 Division I leagues.

Last week, 40 SoCon teams were honored with the Public Recognition Award, given to programs ranking in the top 10 percent of APR scores within their respective sports.