CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas football program has recorded the top Academic Progress Rate (APR) score in the Southland Conference for the second consecutive year.
UCA’s score for the latest reporting cycle (2009-10) was 951, 13 points ahead of the No. 2 school in the conference. UCA’s score was also the highest in the state of Arkansas for the second straight report. Head coach Clint Conque received the FCS Athletic Director’s Association (ADA) award for the conference at a luncheon on Monday at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas in conjunction with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Convention.
“This is certainly a special recognition for our football program,’ said UCA head coach Clint Conque. “Our players, coaches and academic staff all share in this award. We are extremely proud to represent the Southland Conference in receiving this award for two consecutive years.
“Once again, these type of honors reinforce the commitment of Central Arkansas football to recruiting, educating and graduating our young men, while playing Division I football on the national level. We hope to continue this academic and on-field success in the future.’
UCA improved on its league-leading 942 score from last year with the 951 mark this cycle. Among SLC schools, Texas State was second at 938, followed by Lamar (933), Nicholls State (932), Sam Houston State (931), McNeese State (927), Stephen F. Austin (925), Northwestern State (914) and Southeastern Louisiana (911).
Among Arkansas schools, Arkansas State was second at 948, followed by Arkansas at 936) and UA-Pine Bluff at 928.
UCA was one of five schools to earns its conference’s award two consecutive years.
“Our Association is pleased to present these awards to spotlight the true mission of all FCS programs, embracing the academic progress of their student-athletes, who will become leaders in their everyday lives outside of the field,” said FCS ADA President Marilyn McNeil, vice-president/director of athletics at Monmouth University. “We are happy to continue to recognize the FCS institutions and their football programs for continuing to reach or maintain exemplary APR scores.’
The 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 following institutions have been ranked in their respective conference with the highest APR score the past two years, Colonial Athletic – New Hampshire; Mid-Eastern Athletics – Norfolk State; Northeast – Monmouth; Ohio Valley – Austin Peay State; Pioneer Football League – Davidson; Southland - Central Arkansas. Both Norfolk State and Davidson have earned this distinction three straight years.
The Academic Progress Rate is a real-time measure of eligibility and retention of student-athletes competing on every Division I sports team. The most recent APR scores are based on a multi-year rate that averages scores from the 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years.
The goal of the NCAA’s academic performance program is improvement, not punishment. Not only does the program ensure accountability for student-athletes, teams and institutions, but also it provides fairness by considering individual circumstances per team and school. This year marks the eight year of APR data for most teams. The APR is a multi-year rate based on the most recent four years of data.
