Arkansas Razorbacks Exceed APR Benchmark in All 19 Sports

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the third consecutive year, the University of Arkansas exceeds the benchmark Academic Progress Rate (APR) multi-year rate of 930 in all 19 of its intercollegiate sport programs, including three programs that scored perfect 1,000 multi-year APR rates.

Arkansas' 19 programs averaged a rate of 973.9, marking the fourth straight year the program average has exceeded 970. All 19 programs eclipsed the benchmark by at least eight points with 17 of the 19 besting the 930 benchmark by 20 points or more.

Men's golf, women's golf and volleyball all earned NCAA Public Recognition Awards for ranking among the top 10 percent of teams academically in their respective sports. Each program had a perfect 1,000 multi-year rate. With the three awards, the University of Arkansas has now earned 11 public recognition awards in the past three years. Other top scoring programs include women's gymnastics (995), women's soccer (995), women's swimming and diving (995) and men's tennis (994).

"We are pleased that the APR scores reflect the continued academic progress and achievement of our 19 sport programs," said Jeff Long, vice chancellor and director of athletics. "For the third straight year, all 19 of our programs are above the APR benchmark with a majority of them exceeding it by 20 or more points. Most importantly, our strategic focus on guiding Razorback student-athletes on their path to graduation has resulted in dramatic increase in student-athletes earning their college degree. I want to thank our coaches, staff and most importantly our student-athletes for their commitment to their academic progress and embracing the extensive opportunities for personal development through participation in intercollegiate athletics."

Thirteen of 19 sports maintained or increased their multi-year rates in the past year. Men's basketball exceeded the benchmark for the third consecutive year and posted its best multi-year rate ever (959). The men's basketball program improved its multi-year rate by 22 points in the most recent listing. In the past five years, the men's basketball multi-year rate has improved by 73 points.

Men's outdoor track and field (up 18), men's indoor track and field (up 11) and women's indoor track and field (up 10) also saw double-digit point improvements in APR multi-year rates.

In 2014-15, a total of 87 Razorback student-athletes earned the opportunity to participate in commencement ceremonies. In the past two years, Razorbacks Athletics has averaged 100 graduates per year.

The APR is based on academic eligibility and retention of student-athletes in each athletic program. This report's multi-year scores are based on the 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 academic years.

University of Arkansas APR Superlatives

• Third time since APR established and third consecutive year that all 19 sport programs exceed benchmark of 930
• All 19 programs exceed benchmark by at least eight points (938) with 17 programs exceeding the benchmark by 20 points (950) or more.
• Fourth consecutive year the program multi-year average exceeded 970 (973.9 2013-14)
• Thirteen of 19 sports maintained or improved their multi-year rates in the past year
• Three Public Recognition Awards - All 1,000 multi-year rates (men's and women's golf and volleyball)
• Razorback Athletics posted a program best single-year average rate of 986.4 for all 19 programs.
• Ten of Arkansas' 19 programs recorded a perfect 1,000 single-year APR rate.
• Arkansas has now earned a total of 11 Public Recognition Awards in the past three years.
• Men's Basketball has improved its APR 73 points in the past five years. The most recent 959 multi-year rate is a program best.
• Total of 87 Razorback student-athlete earned the opportunity to participate in commencement ceremonies in 2014-15.
• Razorback Athletics has averaged 100 graduates in the past two years combined.

For more information regarding Razorback Athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.