June 11, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - In a public presentation on Wednesday, the NCAA released its latest data on the multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) at all Division I schools. The latest statistics highlight the academic success of Division I student-athletes, as both the multi-year and single-year rates have steadily increased. Villanova continues to receive high academic marks across the board, with nine Wildcat teams ranking among the top 10 percent of programs within their sport. In addition, Villanova saw 21 of its sports post an APR score above the national average for their specific sport.
On a particularly strong note for the Wildcats, three men's teams and two women's programs have posted a multi-year APR score of 1000. The five teams with perfect scores include men's lacrosse, men's swimming & diving, men's tennis, women's basketball and softball. Each of the five teams, along with football, men's soccer, women's indoor track & field and women's outdoor track & field received public recognition for ranking within the top 10 percent of their sports.
The latest APR scores are based on data submitted from the 2005-06 through 2008-09 academic years. In its sixth year, the Academic Progress Rate is an academic measurement for sports teams developed by the NCAA as part of its larger academic reform package. The APR provides a real-time measure of academic performance and student-athletes earn points each semester based on academic standing and retention. A mark of 1000 represents a perfect score for a team.
"Our student-athletes have once again distinguished themselves with their commitment to the academic component of our mission," said Villanova Director of Athletics Vince Nicastro. "I can't say enough about our student-athletes who work so diligently in the classroom and are fully committed to the academic priorities at Villanova. Their success is also a credit to our coaches, faculty and support staff for identifying outstanding student-athletes and mentoring them so well."
In the high-profile sports of football, basketball and baseball, Villanova teams continued to perform exceptionally well. The women's basketball team was one of just two programs from the BIG EAST Conference to be ranked in the 90th-100th percentile of the sport, while the national champion Wildcat football team was one of five teams from the Colonial Athletic Association ranked in the top 10 percent.
Additionally, the men's basketball team ranked third among BIG EAST schools with a multi-year rate of 980 and the baseball team was third in the conference with a mark of 982. Both men's basketball and baseball ranked in the top 20 percent of their sport nationally.
  Villanova Teams Receiving Public Recognition for Ranking in the Top 10 Percent of Their Sport
Sport (Multi-Year APR)
Men's Lacrosse (1000)
Men's Swimming & Diving (1000)
Men's Tennis (1000)
Women's Basketball (1000 )
Softball (1000)
Women's Indoor Track & Field (993)
Women's Outdoor Track & Field (993)
Men's Soccer (990)
Football (978)
