Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball earns NCAA Public Recognition Award
05/13/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
May 13, 2010
www.SIUSalukis.com
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The NCAA recognized more than 800 Division I sports teams Wednesday for their exceptional work in the classroom as part of the NCAA's Academic Performance Program.
Based on their most recent multiyear Academic Progress Rates, the Southern Illinois volleyball team was one of 841 teams that have earned NCAA Public Recognition Awards, up from 767 teams last year. The awards are given annually to teams scoring in the top 10 percent in each sport with their APRs. The lists of recognized teams are available by institution.
"Academics are the most important part of the student-athlete experience," Saluki head coach Brenda Winkeler said. "Our players are students first and then athletes. We work our practice sessions and competitions around class schedules and academic responsibilities. This award not only compliments our players commitment to their academics, but to our program."
High-performing teams receiving public recognition awards this year posted APR scores ranging from 978 to a perfect 1,000, the SIU volleyball team recording a perfect score. The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 academic years.
As APR scores improve, the threshold for teams to earn a place in the top 10 percent in their sport continues to rise.
"Most Division I student-athletes and teams take seriously their dual responsibilities in the classroom and on the court or field of play, but every year there is a special category of teams that perform exceptionally well and deserve this noteworthy recognition," NCAA Interim President Jim Isch said.
The APR provides a real-time view of a team's academic success by tracking the progress of each student-athlete during the school year. By measuring eligibility and retention each semester or quarter, the APR provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.
"We congratulate our volleyball student-athletes and coaches who earned this national recognition for their program and Saluki athletics," Assistant Athletic Director of Student Services Kristina Therriault said.
In the five years of the NCAA's academic reform program, 1,747 teams have received Public Recognition Awards, representing 27.7 percent of eligible sports teams during that time. Of that total, 319 teams have received Public Recognition Awards each of the five years of the program.
