DePaul University

CHICAGO DePaul’s women’s basketball, golf, softball and women’s tennis teams have been recognized by the NCAA for top academic performance as part of the NCAAs academic reform program. Each of the four teams earned the NCAA Public Recognition Award that is given each year to teams scoring in the top 10 percent in each sport with their APR’s. This rate measures academic progress and retention of student-athletes receiving any measure of athletically-based scholarship assistance.

“I’m incredibly proud of the academic accomplishments of DePaul’s student-athletes. In addition to the work ethic and time management skills our student-athletes exhibit to achieve academic success, many groups participate and support them along the way,” said Athletics Director Jean Lenti Ponsetto. “Our coaches do an outstanding job of recruiting student-athletes who can meet the challenges and rigor of competing in DePaul’s academic environment and the intensity of BIG EAST Conference playing seasons. Our University administration, faculty and academic advising staff play a key role in providing the infrastructure and support services necessary to assist our young men and women in maximizing their potential. We are very grateful for the support our student-athletes receive and the outstanding career opportunities afforded them by virtue of their DePaul education and its vast career network.”

The Academic Progress Rate (APR) provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester or quarter by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete. The APR includes eligibility, retention and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.

Golf, softball and women’s tennis all maintained a perfect four-year rolling rate of 1000. Golf was one of seven BIG EAST programs on the list while women’s tennis is one of six conference schools to earn the honor. DePaul is one of only 10 teams currently ranked in the latest ITA top 50 tennis rankings to receive the NCAA award. The DePaul softball program is one of four teams ranked in the latest national top 25’s and just one of five BIG EAST programs to garner the academic honors. The women’s basketball program was one of three BIG EAST teams honored and just one of eight to receive the Public Recognition Award and play in the NCAA Championship this season.

DePaul’s four teams with the NCAA Public Recognition Award ties for fourth among BIG EAST programs and improves upon the three Blue Demon squads that picked up the honor last year. Women’s basketball, softball and women’s tennis also received the recognition a year ago.

A total of 767 of approximately 6,484 Division I teams were honored with 205 schools having at least one team on the list. The Ivy Group led all conferences with 144 teams on the list followed by the Patriot League with 85 and the BIG EAST Conference with 60 programs.

Multi-year APR scores for all Division I programs will be announced May 6. The most recent APR’s are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 academic years.