CINCINNATI - Four athletics programs at the University of Cincinnati have received Public Recognition Awards from the NCAA based upon their academic excellence. Utilizing the most recent multiyear Academic Progress Rate (2015-16), the men's track & field, women's cross country, tennis and volleyball teams each carry APR scores that rank among the Top 10 percent of their respective sports.
This year, according to the NCAA, 306 different school and 1,203 teams are being recognized for academic performance: 746 women's teams and 457 men's teams or co-ed teams. The total number of teams being recognized increased by 132 from a year ago, largely as a result of an increase in perfect scores. Scores for programs in the top 10 percent ranged from 984 to a perfect 1,000, with 1,090 teams earning a perfect score. APR scores for all Division I teams is set to be released by the NCAA on May 10.
The recognition Eric Toth and his tennis program received marks the fourth year in a row the NCAA has recognized their achievements while Susan Seaton and the men's track & field team have been recognized three years running. The women's cross country program, currently led by coach Lara Crofford, is back in the Top 10 percent once again after last earning the recognition in both 2011 and 2012. Molly Alvey's volleyball program earned their first recognition this year. The four teams being honored ties for the most in a single year in UC history after four squads (women's golf, men's swimming/diving, tennis and men's track & field) were honored for the 2013-14 year.
Implemented in 2003 as part of an ambitious academic reform effort in Division I, the Academic Progress Rate (APR) holds institutions accountable for the academic progress of their student-athletes through a team-based metric that accounts for the eligibility and retention of each student-athlete for each academic term.
For more information, including a searchable database of past APR performances, visit NCAA.org. The full release on todya's recognitions can be found HERE.
NCAA Public Recognition Awards
2015-16 (announced May 3, 2017)
Cross Country, Women - Head Coach Susan Seaton & Assistant Coach Lara Crofford
Tennis - Eric Toth
Track & Field, Men - Susan Seaton
Volleyball - Molly Alvey
All-Time Recognitions
Basketball, Men (1) - 2009-10
Cross Country, Women (3) - 2010-11, 2011-12, 2015-16
Golf, Women (1) - 2013-14
Soccer, Men (1) - 2014-15
Swimming/Diving, Men (1) - 2013-14
Tennis (4) - 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16
Track & Field, Men (3) - 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16
Volleyball (1) - 2015-16
Four Bearcats Programs Receive NCAA Public Recognition Awards
