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NCAA Honors Marquette Teams For Academic Progress Rate
May 2, 2008
MILWAUKEE - The NCAA recently honored Division I member institutions and select teams with public recognition awards for their latest multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores. Marquette University was represented this year by the Golden Eagles' men's golf team and men's track and field program, both indoor and outdoor. "This is a great honor for those student-athletes who have participated in the athletic programs recently recognized by the NCAA for their multi-year APR score," said Marquette's Director of Athletics Steve Cottingham. "Such national recognition is well deserved for everyone who has worked diligently in and out of the classroom, including the coaches and support staff who assist our student-athletes in their pursuit of excellence in academics and athletics." The NCAA recognized teams that posted multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports. The APR measures eligibility, retention and graduation of student-athletes. Overall, 712 teams were honored in 2008, or approximately 11 percent of the 6,272 Division I programs. Only 20 men's track and field teams were honored for both indoor and outdoor seasons. The Golden Eagles men's track and field program was specifically one of 24 indoor teams listed and one of 27 outdoor teams. "I couldn't have been more proud of the program. - the men's and women's teams as a whole exemplify what it means to be a student-athlete," said MU head track and field coach Bert Rogers. "They hold true to those ideals in how they present themselves. I think our team is definitely deserving of being stacked up against some of the other best academic institutions." Marquette's men's golf program was one of 32 men's golf teams to receive the honor. Additionally, the Golden Eagles (No. 68) are one of just 10 teams to garner APR recognition and currently be ranked among the top-100 teams in the country by Golfstat. "It's a reflection on both the golf program and Marquette University," said men's golf coach Tim Groan. "We take academics seriously. Graduating is the number one priority. That's the goal for each student-athlete when we recruit them, is that they're also going to make that commitment to getting a degree."
Collectively, the BIG EAST Conference had 47 teams that were recognized, third highest of any league in the country. The effort is part of a public-recognition program the Division I Board of Directors approved in January 2006. Last year, a total of 839 teams were recognized. "Congratulations to these teams and their student-athletes for success in the classroom," NCAA President Myles Brand said. "They are setting a great example for their peers and future student-athletes. Men's Golf (32)
Men's Indoor Track (24)
Men's Outdoor Track (27) |
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