NEW YORK – A record 67 BIG EAST athletic teams have been recognized by the NCAA with Public Recognition Awards for outstanding academic achievement. To receive the award, teams must compile scores in the top 10 percent of their sport, based on their most recent Academic Progress Rates (APR). The APR is the NCAA’s annual scorecard of academic achievement calculated for Division I sports.
The BIG EAST total of 67 recognized teams is the highest in the conference’s current 10-school configuration.
Villanova has 17 recognized teams overall, the highest total for a BIG EAST school. The Wildcats’ 17 teams represent 77 percent of their athletic program, which is the highest percentage of any Division I school nationally.
Georgetown is second with 13 recognized teams. The Hoyas’ total ties for ninth nationally. Georgetown has had at least 12 teams recognized for the past 10 years.
Forty-four BIG EAST women’s programs were recognized and 23 men’s programs were honored. Women’s cross country and women’s tennis each had seven teams recognized. All six schools that compete in BIG EAST women’s golf were honored. Women’s swimming and diving also had six teams recognized. On the men’s side, golf had the highest number with six teams.
The APR measures eligibility, graduation and retention each semester or academic term and provides a clear picture of the ongoing academic performance for each team in every sport. This is the 14th year that the APR data has been compiled for Division I schools.