BOSTON -- Northeastern University student-athletes continue to excel academically and achieve at a level higher than their Division I peers, according to data released Wednesday by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
This latest Academic Progress Rate (APR) report comes one week after two Northeastern teams were recognized by the NCAA with Public Recognition Awards for high academic achievement. Those teams — men's cross country, and women's track and field — posted multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sport.
Highlights from Northeastern's 2014-15 APR report include:
• Northeastern had nine teams (men's cross country, men's ice hockey, women's basketball, women's cross country, women's ice hockey, women's rowing, women's soccer, women's track and field and volleyball) earn a perfect APR score of 1000.
• Of the 15 Northeastern teams included in the APR report, 11 posted a four-year APR score at or above the national average for their respective sports (indoor and outdoor track and field combined for the first time this year).
• The men's basketball team posted an APR 25 points above the national average. It's the ninth straight year that the team's APR has been above the national average.
• The men's ice hockey team saw a 43 point increase from last year's 2013-14 APR (957 to 1000).
• Both the men's and women's track and field and cross country programs recorded an APR of 1000 for the second consecutive year, the only Northeastern teams to do.
• Every Northeastern team had an APR score above 950 (20 points above the NCAA's 930 figure for possible penalties)
NCAA President Mark Emmert applauded Division I student-athletes for their continued academic achievement and dedication to earning a degree.
"Division I student-athletes learn to balance playing a sport they love with the pursuit of a degree, and we honor their continued success in the classroom. The APR data prove that students can achieve both academically and athletically," Emmert said. "Supporting our students as they work toward graduation is a top priority of everyone involved in college athletics."
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 2016-17 postseason, 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. Additionally, teams must earn at least a 930 APR to avoid penalties.
