Howard University Bison Athletics Receives Major Academic Recognition from NCAA and MEAC

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  Howard University student athletes rank among the best in the nation. Both NCAA and the MEAC have recently announced major academic honors for high-performing athletes at Howard.

“Howard University has a tradition of academic excellence,” said Howard University Director of Athletics Louis “Skip” Perkins. “We are very proud of the recent recognition from the NCAA and MEAC Commissioner. These represent the hard work, commitment and dedication of our student athletes, coaches and athletics staff.

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference recently named Howard University the top institution in the conference for producing academic all-stars. MEAC named 101 student-athletes from Howard to the 2013 Commissioner’s All-Academic Team. The Howard total beat all other institutions in the 13-member conference.

The Bison women’s cross-country team was recognized recently by the NCAA for producing an Academic Progress Rate (APR) in the top 10 percent nationally for their respective sport in 2011-12. The APR provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship.

NCAA President Mark Emmert in a letter to AD Perkins lauded Howard Athletics. “These teams represent intercollegiate athletics at its best,” Emmert said.  “Once again, I congratulate you, the head coach, student-athletes, athletics department and institution for the outstanding academic achievements.” Last year proved to be another exemplary academic year for Bison Athletics. Howard reported an impressive 68 percent graduation rate for its student athletes. The cumulative GPA for student athletes was 3.08; nearly half of all athletes held GPAs above 3.0.

ABOUT HOWARD                                                             Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Since 1998, the University has produced two Rhodes Scholars, two Truman Scholars, a Marshall Scholar, 30 Fulbright Scholars and 11 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, call 202-238-2330, or visit the University's Web site at www.howard.edu.