Seventeen Horizon League Teams Earn NCAA Public Recognition Award

INDIANAPOLIS – Seventeen Horizon League teams have been honored by the NCAA for academic excellence. These teams posted multiyear Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport, culminating in the 2013-14 academic year.

Among current members, Cleveland State led the way with five squads recognized. Valparaiso followed close behind with four teams honored while UIC and Green Bay each slated three.

Breaking down specific sports, women’s cross country was the leader with five Horizon League teams being recognized.

Belmont, an affiliate Horizon League member in the sport of men’s soccer as of the 2014-15 academic year, was recognized as well.

This spring 1,124 teams were publicly recognized to mark an increase of 75 squads from a year ago in the highest number ever reached in the decade since the NCAA began the Public Recognition Awards program. In total, 696 women’s teams and 428 men’s or mixed squads compiled the list.

Each year, the NCAA honors selected Division I sports teams by publicly recognizing their latest multiyear NCAA Division I. The 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 APR provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship.  The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team’s academic performance.

Schools/Sports Recognized
Belmont - Men’s Soccer
Cleveland State - Men’s Basketball, Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Tennis, Women’s Track, Indoor, Women’s Track, Outdoor
Detroit -  Women’s Cross Country
Green Bay - Men’s Cross Country, Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Volleyball
UIC - Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Track, Indoor, Women’s Track, Outdoor
Valparaiso - Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Golf, Women’s Tennis
Wright State - Men’s Tennis