Redbird Football Honored By FCS ADA For Best APR In MVFC

CLEVELAND – The Illinois State football program, led by head coach Brock Spack, was recognized by The Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) as one of 13 recipients of its Academic Progress Rate (APR) Award, sponsored by Forward Progress.

Illinois State topped the Missouri Valley Football Conference with a score of 972, which set a program record dating back to the beginning of the APR calculations. The Redbirds were previously honored by the FCS ADA for having the most improved APR score in the conference during the 2010-11 academic year. 

The APR Award recognizes one institution at each of the 13 FCS conferences that has the highest APR score. In addition, the Association also recognized one institution from each conference that has improved the most from the previous year. In all, 27 awards were given out this year.  

"Our association is pleased to present these awards to spotlight the mission of all FCS programs, embracing the academic progress of their student-athletes, who will become leaders off the field," said FCS ADA President Jeff Tingey, director of athletics at Idaho State. "Thanks to Forward Progress, we are pleased to continue to recognize the FCS institutions and their football programs for continuing to reach exemplary APR scores."

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) member colleges and universities adopted a comprehensive academic reform package designed to improve the academic success and graduation of all student-athletes.  The centerpiece of the package is the academic measurement for teams, known as the APR. The APR measures eligibility, graduation and retention each semester or quarter, and provides a clear picture of the academic performance for each team in each sport. The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from 2010-11, 2011-2012, 2012-13 and 2013-14 academic years.

The institutions received their awards on June 15 during the FCS ADA Luncheon, sponsored by Borden Perlman Insurance Agency, in conjunction with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Convention at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida. 

Now in its 23rd year, the FCS ADA's mission is to enhance Football Championship Subdivision football. The FCS ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 51st year.

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