SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The National Collegiate Athletics Association announced the 2016 Public Recognition Award on Wednesday and a total of 25 Southern Conference programs representing eight full-time conference members were honored. The award is given to athletic teams ranking in the top 10 percent of Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores within Division I in their respective sports.

Teams honored by the NCAA earned multiple Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores in the top 10 percent for their sport. The most recent APR score is based on the scores from the 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years. The public recognition awards are part of the overall Division I academic reform effort and are 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.

Fourteen Southern Conference men’s programs across nine different sports earned the Public Recognition Award. Eleven women’s programs from seven sports earned the award. Wofford led all SoCon schools with six teams earning the Public Recognition Award, while Chattanooga had four teams honored. All eight of the league schools represented had multiple programs earn the award, while seven members had at least one men’s and one women’s program earn NCAA recognition.

NCAA Public Recognition Award by Sport:
Men’s sports
Basketball – Western Carolina
Cross Country – Samford, Chattanooga
Football – Wofford
Golf – Mercer, UNCG, Western Carolina, Wofford
Lacrosse – Air Force
Track – Furman
Soccer – Wofford
Tennis – ETSU, Wofford
Wrestling – Davidson

Women’s sports
Basketball – Wofford
Cross Country – Chattanooga
Golf – Furman, Wofford
Track – Chattanooga
Soccer – Furman
Tennis – Chattanooga
Volleyball – ETSU, Mercer, UNCG, Samford

-www.SoConSports.com-