April 27, 2007

Villanova, Pa. - On Thursday, April 26, the NCAA recognized the collegiate teams that registered multi-year APR (Academic Progress Rate) scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports. Villanova University had 11 of its 24 varsity sports publicly recognized for being in the top 10 percent for their APR. In addition, all 24 Wildcat athletic programs scored well above the NCAA minimum APR standard.

"Once again, our student-athletes have distinguished themselves by their commitment to the academic component of our mission. The most recent APR results are among the nation's elite, and I congratulate our student-athletes on their diligence in the classroom," said Villanova Director of Athletics Vince Nicastro. "I also wish to thank our coaches, academic support staff, the faculty and university administration for creating an environment where students can develop their intellectual capacity to the fullest."

The APR was established by the NCAA as a real-time measure of academic performance. Under the new APR calculation, student-athletes earn points each semester based on academic standing and retention.

The 11 Villanova athletic programs who have been recognized include baseball, men's basketball, football, men's golf, women's basketball, women's rowing, women's cross country, women's lacrosse, women's soccer, softball and women's water polo. In the Big East Conference, Villanova is tied with Georgetown and Notre Dame for having the most teams in the top 10 percent for their APR. The Wildcat men's basketball squad is one of just two Big East Conference men's basketball teams honored, while the Villanova football team is one of three CAA football squads to earn recognition.

During the 2005-06 season, Villanova student-athletes scored an impressive 986 in the APR, including seven Wildcat teams who registered a perfect score of 1000.