The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Teams Earn NCAA APR Public Recognition
5/3/2017 | Academic Support
NCAA Press Release
OXFORD, Miss. â€" The Ole Miss women's tennis and men's golf team's success isn't limited to just the playing fields as both have been recognized for their outstanding performances in the classroom with the NCAA Public Recognition Award.
Both teams earned perfect 1,000 marks and are among 1,090 teams across the country earning perfect scores. Based on their most recent multiyear Academic Progress Rate, these teams have earned NCAA Public Recognition Awards for posting scores in the top 10 percent of their sport. The APR is an annual scorecard of academic achievement calculated for all Division I sports teams nationally.
"Many of our teams have improved their APR scores tremendously over the past five years which has led to Ole Miss posting its highest overall APR score in recorded history," said senior associate athletic director of student-athlete development, Derek Cowherd. "Congratulations to Coach Malloy and Coach Beyers for promoting academic success on their respective teams. Posting a perfect 1000 Academic Progress Rate is evidence of their leadership and commitment to their students' success."
This will mark the second consecutive year and the fifth overall time women's tennis has earned the NCAA recognition. The Rebel men's golf team has won Ole Miss' Chancellors Cup, awarded to the men and women's teams with the top GPAs, each of the last two years, while former men's golfer Forrest Gamble earned the SEC's H. Boyd McWhorter Award in 2016, given to the top scholar athlete in the SEC.
This year, 1,203 teams are being recognized for academic performance: 746 women's teams and 457 men's teams or co-ed teams. The total number of teams being recognized increased by 132 from a year ago, largely as a result of an increase in perfect scores. Scores for programs in the top 10 percent ranged from 984 to a perfect 1,000, with 1,090 teams earning a perfect score.
All Division I teams' APR scores will be released May 10. All teams must meet a certain academic threshold to qualify for the postseason and can face penalties for continued low academic performance. The APR measures eligibility, graduation and retention each term and provides a clear picture of the academic performance for each team in every sport.
The most recent APRs are based on scores from the 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 academic years.
The women's tennis team earned its ninth consecutive NCAA berth under the guidance of head coach Mark Beyers and will head to Chapel Hill, NC to take on William and Mary in the first round. The men's golf team is currently ranked No. 22 and awaits its NCAA Regional selection on Thursday.
For further academic accolades, follow @UMTrueRebel on Twitter.
Ole Miss Student-Athlete Development Mission
The mission of Ole Miss' Student-Athlete Development program is to challenge student-athletes to be lifelong learners while pursuing continuous improvement academically, relationally, socially, personally, and professionally during and beyond their careers as student-athletes.