INDIANAPOLIS - The NCAA released its 2014-15 Academic Progress Rate (APR) figures and five of Washington State University's intercollegiate athletic programs posted perfect single-year APR scores, it was announced Wednesday.
“I continue to be extremely proud of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, for their commitment to academic excellence,” said WSU Director of Athletics Bill Moos. “Again this year, the NCAA APR data reflects that commitment.”
The APR is an annual assessment of each team's academic and retention history. The overall APR score is based on the most recent four years of data (2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15). Every year thereafter, the most current year's data will be added and the oldest year of data will be removed, creating a four-year rolling rate.
For the 2014-15 academic year, women's cross country, golf, tennis and track and field, along with men's golf earned perfect single-year APR scores of 1,000. Last week, women's cross country was recognized by the NCAA as being among the top 10 percent among all programs nationally for posting a four-year APR score of 1,000.
“This recent release by the NCAA indicates WSU's continued dedication to academic improvement and performance,” said WSU Faculty Athletics Representative Ken Casavant. “I am extremely pleased with this year's record.”
The WSU football team recorded a four-year average score of 965, an improvement from last year's score of 951, which until this year had been WSU's highest four-year average. In fact, each of WSU's last four APR averages have been the highest for the program, all coming under head coach Mike Leach. Cougar Football also had a single-year score of 962 for 2014-15, surpassing the NCAA's 930 standard.
Following women's cross country, the highest multi-year APR score at WSU was earned by the women's rowing team, which posted a four-year score of 993. Other women's programs include swimming (989), track and field (986), basketball (986), soccer (984), tennis (984), golf (982) and volleyball (973).
In all, eight of the nine women's programs improved their four-year APR scores from last year.
On the men's side golf led the way with an average four-year score of 974, followed by cross country (973), baseball (971), track and field (966) and basketball (949).
All six of WSU's men's programs improved their four-year APR scores from last year.