Grand Canyon University Athletics
Lopes earn 11 perfect APR scores
5/8/2019 10:00:00 AM | S-A Development
NCAA's Academic Progress Rate (APR), released on Wednesday, continues to display academic improvement for Division I athletes and Grand Canyon. Eleven GCU teams earned perfect 1,000 single-year scores in 2017-18. In addition, all 19 GCU teams measured above the NCAA minimum score.
A total of 18 programs earned single-year scores of 970, compared to 15 teams in 2016-17. All measurable teams had a multi-year score above 960, up from 18 teams last year. All women's teams earned multi-year scores of 978 or higher.
Implemented in 2003 as part of an ambitious academic reform effort in Division I, the APR holds institutions accountable for the academic progress of their student-athletes through a team-based metric that accounts for the eligibility and retention of each student-athlete for each academic term.
GCU Senior Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development Jason Linders commended student-athletes', coaches' and faculty's efforts in increasing scores again.
"Our coaches have done an excellent job of recruiting and developing competitors on the field, in the classroom and in the GCU community," Linders said. "Our faculty, student-athlete development office (OSAD), administration and support staff work tirelessly to assist our student-athletes in achieving their goals, including their academic endeavors, as they prepare for life after sport."
The 11 perfect single-year scores feature: men's soccer, men's swimming, men's tennis, women's cross country, women's golf, softball, women's soccer, women's swimming, women's tennis, women's track and women's volleyball (11 teams are up two from 2015-16 and seven from 2014-15)
The women's golf and women's volleyball teams had the highest scores on campus and were recognized by the NCAA with Public Recognition Awards, bestowed on teams with an NCAA Division I APR in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports based on their multiyear rates following 2017-18, followed by men's golf and men's volleyball with 993.
Baseball and men's tennis, for the third straight year, tied for top marks in the WAC (976, 992), while men's golf (993) was second in the WAC. Women's soccer earned the top mark in the WAC (991),. Women's golf and women's volleyball tied for first in the WAC (1,000 each).
"Compared to when we arrived in 2015, when we had maybe five teams with 1,000 APR scores, it is rewarding to see our teams compete to achieve higher marks, the expectations our coaches have, and the culture we have built," Linders said. "APR numbers in all sports have continued a positive trend and are now mirroring the accomplishments our student-athletes are achieving in the other metrics the NCAA uses to determine student-athlete success."
Every Division I sports team across the nation calculates its APR each academic year, similar to a report card. Scholarship student-athletes each semester earn one point for remaining eligible and one point for staying in school or graduating.
In order to compete in the postseason play and avoid penalties, teams must achieve a 930 four-year APR. NCAA member representatives chose the 930 standard because that score predicts a 50 percent graduation rate for the team.
Each of GCU's 19 evaluated programs exceeded the NCAA's minimum APR standard score of 930. Indoor and outdoor track were combined into one track and field category for ranking purposes.
A total of 18 programs earned single-year scores of 970, compared to 15 teams in 2016-17. All measurable teams had a multi-year score above 960, up from 18 teams last year. All women's teams earned multi-year scores of 978 or higher.
Implemented in 2003 as part of an ambitious academic reform effort in Division I, the APR holds institutions accountable for the academic progress of their student-athletes through a team-based metric that accounts for the eligibility and retention of each student-athlete for each academic term.
GCU Senior Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development Jason Linders commended student-athletes', coaches' and faculty's efforts in increasing scores again.
"Our coaches have done an excellent job of recruiting and developing competitors on the field, in the classroom and in the GCU community," Linders said. "Our faculty, student-athlete development office (OSAD), administration and support staff work tirelessly to assist our student-athletes in achieving their goals, including their academic endeavors, as they prepare for life after sport."
The 11 perfect single-year scores feature: men's soccer, men's swimming, men's tennis, women's cross country, women's golf, softball, women's soccer, women's swimming, women's tennis, women's track and women's volleyball (11 teams are up two from 2015-16 and seven from 2014-15)
The women's golf and women's volleyball teams had the highest scores on campus and were recognized by the NCAA with Public Recognition Awards, bestowed on teams with an NCAA Division I APR in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports based on their multiyear rates following 2017-18, followed by men's golf and men's volleyball with 993.
Baseball and men's tennis, for the third straight year, tied for top marks in the WAC (976, 992), while men's golf (993) was second in the WAC. Women's soccer earned the top mark in the WAC (991),. Women's golf and women's volleyball tied for first in the WAC (1,000 each).
"Compared to when we arrived in 2015, when we had maybe five teams with 1,000 APR scores, it is rewarding to see our teams compete to achieve higher marks, the expectations our coaches have, and the culture we have built," Linders said. "APR numbers in all sports have continued a positive trend and are now mirroring the accomplishments our student-athletes are achieving in the other metrics the NCAA uses to determine student-athlete success."
Every Division I sports team across the nation calculates its APR each academic year, similar to a report card. Scholarship student-athletes each semester earn one point for remaining eligible and one point for staying in school or graduating.
In order to compete in the postseason play and avoid penalties, teams must achieve a 930 four-year APR. NCAA member representatives chose the 930 standard because that score predicts a 50 percent graduation rate for the team.
Each of GCU's 19 evaluated programs exceeded the NCAA's minimum APR standard score of 930. Indoor and outdoor track were combined into one track and field category for ranking purposes.
Monday, July 27
Monday, July 27
Wednesday, July 22
Saturday, July 18