Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Athletics Again Rates Well in NCAA's APR Survey
5/2/2007 8:00:00 AM | General
May 2, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The NCAA on Wednesday released its third yearly set of Academic Performance Rate (APR) data, representing a recently implemented formula now used to track student-athlete eligibility and retention and could lead to sanctions against institutions not meeting certain minimum standards. For the third straight year, Bucknell scored very well in the APR report, with each of its 26 reporting programs easily meeting the 925-point cutoff. Scores under 925 could result in certain NCAA-imposed penalties, including loss of scholarships.
Under the APR system, a student-athlete can be awarded two points per semester - one for remaining academically eligible throughout the semester and another for being retained for the next term. Team percentages are then calculated to determine its APR.
The latest APR data represents a three-year average based on institutional reporting for the 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 academic years; ultimately the NCAA will evaluate programs based on a four-year rolling average.
Twenty-four of 26 Bucknell programs boasted perfect 1,000 scores for the 2005-06 reporting period, and 13 programs - men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's tennis, women's rowing, women's lacrosse, women's swimming and diving, women's indoor track and field and women's water polo - have perfect 1,000 scores in the three-year rate. All other Bison programs are well above the national average, with every program scoring at least a 972.
Last week the NCAA issued Public Recognition Awards to 839 teams ranking in the top 10 percent nationally in their respective sport, based on APR scores. Bucknell had 17 teams honored, fifth-most in the nation based on percentage of sports offerings. The Patriot League ranked second among all Division I conferences with a total of 92 teams receiving awards.
"We are very pleased that the NCAA's new APR report sheds further light on the success of Bucknell's student-athlete model," said director of athletics and recreation John Hardt. "The education and welfare of our student-athletes remains the top priority in the department of athletics. Bucknell's ranking among the national leaders in graduation rates, Academic All-Americans and now APR data affirms that all the hard work from our student-athletes, coaches, faculty and staff has been well-focused."
Bucknell is a highly-selective, privately endowed liberal arts institution with an enrollment of approximately 3,350 undergraduate students. Bucknell competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Patriot League and has full membership along with American, Army, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh and Navy. Bucknell has won the Presidents' Cup, signifying the Patriot League's all-sports champion, in 12 of 16 years, including eight of the last nine years.
