Tulane Student-Athletes Receive High Marks in Latest APR Rankings
May 2, 2007 | General
May 2, 2007
NEW ORLEANS, La.- All eight of Tulane's current varsity sports teams scored well above their national averages in the school's most recent multi-year Academic Performance Rates released on Wednesday by the NCAA. The report marked the second straight year that Green Wave student-athletes had performed above the standard average in the classroom for their respective sports.
NCAA President Myles Brand praised New Orleans' Tulane University for its strong academic performance despite Hurricane Katrina -- all seven of its teams scored 940 or better.
"What Tulane and these other schools have been through is one of the worst historical situations possible," Brand said. "If Tulane can accomplish that, it's just remarkable."
In its third year, the Academic Performance Rate (APR) is a real-time measurement used by campuses and the NCAA to judge academic progress, and is based on eligibility, graduation and retention. Teams are awarded two points each term for each student-athlete who meets academic-eligibility standards and remains with the institution from one semester to the next. A team's APR is the total points earned by the team, divided by the total points possible and multiplied by 1,000. Penalties, including reductions in scholarships, can be assessed for teams that drop below a standard "cut score" of 925. Each Division I sports team receives an APR score. An APR of 925 (out of 1,000) equals roughly a 60 percent Graduation Success Rate.
"This years report verifies the student-athletes of Tulane have continued achievement of excellence in their academic pursuits," Tulane Director of Athletics Rick Dickson said. "These performances, which were assisted by the dedication of our academic support staff and supported by our coaches, resulted in the outcomes we've come to expect at Tulane. Congratulations to all of our sports programs."
The Green Wave women's cross country team paced the school's eight sports with a score of 989, or 19 points above the sport's national average. The Tulane men's basketball team recorded the biggest difference between its score and the national average. The Green Wave registered a 975, which was 48 points better than the Division I average for all men's basketball teams.
"I could not be more proud of our student-athletes at Tulane University," Tulane President Scott Cowen said. "They represent the very best in collegiate athletics, achieving excellence in their respective sports while advancing Tulane's tradition of scholarship."
Women's indoor track recorded the second-highest score with a 986, which was 22 points better than the national average. The Wave's outdoor track program was 14 points higher than the Division I average with a 979, while the women's basketball team checked in with a 977, which was 17 points higher than the national average.
The Tulane volleyball team chalked up a 973 (969 national average), while the Green Wave baseball team was 27 points better than the national average with a 961. The Tulane football team posted a 940, and was nine points better than the Division I average.
Tulane's complete APR report, as well as the scores of all NCAA schools, is available on-line at www.ncaa.org.
