SPARTANBURG, S.C. – A total of 39 Southern Conference programs representing nine conference members earned the 2014 Public Recognition Award from the National Collegiate Athletics Association Wednesday (May 7). The award is given to athletic teams ranking in the top 10 percent of Academic Progress Report (APR) scores within Division I in their respective sports. The 39 teams recognized by the NCAA tops last year’s total of 38 squads that earned the distinction from the same 11 institutions.
Teams honored by the NCAA earned multiple Academic Progress Report (APR) scores in the top 10 percent for the past four years. The most recent APR scores are multi-year rates based on the scores from the 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 academic years. This announcement is part of the overall Division I academic reform effort and is intended to highlight teams that demonstrate a commitment to academic progress and retention of student-athletes by achieving the top APRs within their respective sports. The public recognition awards are part of the overall Division I academic reform effort.
Twenty Southern Conference men’s programs earned the Public Recognition Award, which tied last year’s total. Nineteen women’s programs from eight different sports earned the award. Davidson led all SoCon schools with 11 teams earning the Public Recognition Award, while Wofford had 10 teams honored. Six league schools had multiple programs earn the award, while four members had at least one men’s and one women’s program earn NCAA recognition.
NCAA Public Recognition Award by Sports:
Men’s Sports
Baseball – Davidson
Basketball – Davidson, Elon, Western Carolina
Cross Country – Elon, Furman, UNCG, Chattanooga
Football – Wofford
Golf – Chattanooga, Wofford
Indoor Track – UNCG, Wofford
Outdoor Track – UNCG, Wofford
Soccer – Wofford
Tennis – Davidson, Elon, Wofford
Wrestling – Davidson
Women’s Sports
Basketball – Davidson, Wofford|
Cross Country – Davidson, Elon, Furman, Samford, Wofford
Golf – Appalachian State, Elon
Indoor Track – Davidson, Elon, Wofford
Outdoor Track – Davidson, Elon, Wofford
Soccer – Davidson
Tennis – Davidson, Furman
Volleyball – Davidson