SWAC: NCAA Releases Academic Progress Rate Report

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  Fifteen athletic programs within seven member institutions of the Southwestern Athletic Conference have been penalized based on its NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR) data for the 2011-2012 academic year. The NCAA made the announcement today through an online post with links to the four-year APR data.

 

SWAC member institutions and programs penalized with postseason ineligibility include: Alabama State University (Baseball, Men's Basketball, Football, Volleyball) - Grambling State University (Men's Basketball) - Mississippi Valley State University (Baseball, Football, Men's Basketball) - Southern University (Men's Outdoor and Indoor Track & Field) - University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (Men's Basketball). 

Alabama A&M University men's golf, Alabama State softball, Alcorn State University men's basketball and Arkansas-Pine Bluff men's golf were each handed a level-one penalty but maintained its postseason eligibility. 

“The Southwestern Athletic Conference remains committed to assisting our member institutions in meeting academic progress and the metric for a successful Academic Progress Rate,” said SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp. “The SWAC will continue to work closely with the NCAA, President Mark Emmert, Committee on Academic Performance (CAP) chair Walter Harrison and the Limited Resource Institutions advisory group. We are also proud of our student-athletes who have achieved academic success by graduating and performing at the highest level during competition.” 

Along with the postseason ban, the programs received a level-one penalty which includes practice reduction.  

Alabama State (Football and Men's Basketball), Grambling State (Men's Basketball), Mississippi Valley State (Men's Basketball), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Men's Basketball), Southern (Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field) also received a level-two penalty - in season and out of season restrictions. In addition to the reduction of four practice time replaced with academic activities, level-two penalty includes the elimination of non-championship season or spring football. Teams without a non-championship season face a reduced number of contests.  

MVSU and GSU men's basketball teams were also tagged with a level-three penalty which includes various restrictions. This can include financial aid reductions, additional practice and contest restrictions; and potential multiyear bans on postseason competitions. 

ASU, UAPB, and MVSU have filed penalty waivers which are currently under review.

Beginning with 2012-13 championships, teams must earn a minimum 900 four-year APR or a 930 average over the most recent two years to be eligible to participate.  

SWAC APR leaders for 2011-2012 include:

Alabama A&M	Football	939
	Women's Basketball	990
Alabama State	Women's Cross Country	990
	Women's Indoor Track	970
	Women's Outdoor Track	970
Alcorn State	Women's Soccer	991
Grambling State	Baseball	960
	Softball	971
	Women's Bowling	991
Jackson State	Men's Golf	991
	Men's Tennis	988
	Women's Golf	989
	Women's Tennis	100
	Women's Volleyball	973
Mississippi Valley State	Men's Cross Country	992
	Men's Indoor Track	988
	Men's Outdoor Track	988
	Softball	971
Prairie View A&M	Men's Basketball	944

 

Jackson State women's tennis received the NCAA Public Recognition Award scoring 1,000 which is the highest any team can achieve.  

The APR was implemented in 2005 to hold athletic programs accountable for their athletes working toward earning a degree. Points are awarded for retention and graduation of scholarship athletes.

 

COURTESY SWAC.org