University Letter

Each of UND’s 20 athletic teams recorded multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores of 925 or better in 2010-11, according to data released today by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Every Division I sports team calculates its APR each academic year, based on the eligibility and retention of each scholarship student-athlete. Teams scoring below certain thresholds can face sanctions, such as scholarship losses and restrictions on practice. Rates are based on the past four years’ performance.

The standard for postseason access starts at 900 APR but over the next few years climbs to 930. UND’s women’s golf team received NCAA Public Recognition earlier this month for its perfect score of 1,000. UND’s highest scores also included soccer (996), softball (994), volleyball (986), men’s golf (985), women’s hockey (983) and men’s hockey (981).

UND also scored above the four-year average in the NCAA’s highest profile sports, scoring a 969 in football and a 968 in men’s basketball. The national average in those sports was 948 and 950, respectively.

“Our coaches, staff and student-athletes work hard to ensure that UND is represented well on a national level in relation to the APR,” said Daniella Irle, UND’s senior associate Athletics director for internal operations and senior woman administrator. “Our scores reinforce our commitment to academic success and we are very proud of our accomplishments. There are a lot of people on campus outside of the athletics department who also contribute to our efforts and having competitive APR scores is one of the best ways we can thank them.”

UND, which will join the Big Sky Conference in 2012-13, also fared well in relation to its future opponents. UND’s four-year scores in women’s golf (1,000) and soccer (996) would have led the Big Sky, while its scores in men’s indoor track (971), men’s indoor track (971) and football (969) would have placed third. UND’s men’s basketball score of 968 would have placed third.

For more information, please visit www.ncaa.org.

UND’s 2010-11 APR Rates

• Baseball, 925
• Football, 969
• Men’s Basketball, 968
• Men’s Cross Country, 946
• Men’s Golf, 985
• Men’s Hockey, 981
• Men’s Swimming & Diving, 941
• Men’s Track (Indoor), 971
• Men’s Track (Outdoor), 971
• Softball, 994
• Women’s Basketball, 971
• Women’s Cross Country, 971
• Women’s Golf, 1000
• Women’s Hockey, 983
• Women’s Soccer, 996
• Women’s Swimming, 974
• Women’s Tennis, 977
• Women’s Track (Indoor), 977
• Women’s Track (Outdoor), 977
• Women’s Volleyball, 986

-- Jayson Hajdu, assistant Athletics director/media relations, 777-2985, jayson.hajdu@und.edu.