INDIANAPOLIS – The Illinois State men's golf, gymnastics and volleyball programs were honored with NCAA Public Recognition Awards for achievement in the latest multiyear Academic Progress Rates (APR) announced Wednesday by the NCAA. The most recent APRs are multiyear rates based on scores from the 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 academic years.
The Redbird men's golf squad ranked in the top-10 percent of its sport for the seventh time in program history. Led by head coach
Ray Kralis, the Redbird men's golf team earned the NCAA Public Recognition Award for the sixth report in a row. ISU was previously recognized during the 2009-10 report and has earn public recognition each year from 2011-2017.
The volleyball program, led by head coach
Leah Johnson, earned its third NCAA Public Recognition Award overall and second in a row. The Redbirds also earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2016-2017 season. The Redbird gymnastics team, under the direction of head coach
Bob Conkling, was honored with NCAA Public Recognition Awards for achievement for the first time in program history. The ISU gymnasts were also ranked among the top 10 programs in the country in team grade point average for the 2016-17 season, as the Redbirds were No. 8 on the annual list of top team GPAs recognized by the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women.
"I am extremely proud of our gymnastics team and how they focus on the student part of being a student-athlete," Conkling stated. "The entire team has contributed to all the academic success we have had the past few years, and we look forward to building on that success in the coming years."
The APR is an annual scorecard of academic achievement calculated for all Division I sports teams. Teams earning Public Recognition Awards increased to 1,284, up by 79 from the previous academic year, largely as a result of an increase in perfect scores. Of the teams recognized, 457 competed in men's or mixed sports, and 827 competed in women's sports. APRs for programs in the top 10 percent ranged from 985 to a perfect 1,000, and the number of teams posting perfect scores increased to 1,188, marking an increase of 98 teams from last year.
"I applaud every program earning a Public Recognition Award this year for their commitment to going above and beyond to prepare students for life after college through academic achievement," NCAA President Mark Emmert said. "To have nine national champions so far this year — including men's and women's basketball — be among those recognized illustrates that student-athletes succeed athletically and academically."
APR scores for all Division I teams will be released May 23. The APR measures eligibility, graduation and retention each semester or academic term and provides a clear picture of the academic performance for each team in every sport. All teams must meet an academic threshold of 930 to qualify for the postseason and can face penalties for continued low academic performance.
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