Ten programs from Big West member institutions received Public Recognition Awards for their Academic Progress Rates from the NCAA, the organization announced this morning.  The number of teams earning recognition is tied for the most for the Big West since the program began to honor schools in 2004-05.

The NCAA Public Recognition Awards are given each year to teams with APRs in the top 10 percent in each sport.  Top performing APRs this year ranged from 978 to a perfect 1,000, with the majority of teams earning a perfect APR.

Cal State Northridge and UC Davis led all Big West schools with two squads recognized.  Cal Poly, Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, UC Irvine, UC Riverside and Pacific received one award apiece.

Of the 10 teams honored, five were either men's or women's cross country teams.  In all, 54 Big West teams have been honored with a Public Recognition Award since the program's inception.

The 976 teams publicly recognized this year for high achievement represent 594 women's teams and 382 men's or mixed squads.

In 2012, 954 teams were recognized.

Each year, the NCAA tracks the classroom performance of student-athletes on every Division I team through the annual scorecard of academic achievement, known as APR.  The rate measures eligibility, graduation and retention each semester or quarter and provides a clear picture of the academic performance in each sport.  The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 academic years.

Full APRs for all teams, including penalties for low-performing teams, will be released June 11.

Big West Teams Receiving NCAA APR Awards

Cal Poly
Men's Tennis

Cal State Fullerton
Women's Cross Country

Cal State Northridge
Men's Cross Country
Women's Cross Country

Long Beach State
Men's Cross Country

UC Davis
Women's Basketball
Women's Tennis

UC Irvine
Women's Cross Country

UC Riverside
Women's Tennis

Pacific
Women's Volleyball