Improving APR score big key for SU football

As Southern gets ready to welcome back its football players to the practice fields this week, the program’s future depends more on what they’ll do in the classroom rather than on the playing field. In May, the NCAA slapped Southern’s football program with the loss of scholarships and practice time because of unsatisfactory scores in the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate. Further troubles could result, by next year, in the loss of postseason play and, in two years, could mean the loss of the school’s Division I status.

Southern University Jaguars head football coach Pete Richardson

“It’s scary,” Southern Athletic Director Greg LaFleur said.

Effective immediately this season, Southern will lose 8.75 football scholarships — limited to 54.25 of a maximum of 63 — and four hours of practice time, reducing the Jaguars to 16 per week from 20. LaFleur said the four hours of practice time must be used in study hall. Also, Southern can sign no more than 20 players for next season’s class in February.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.