May 2, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis Athletics Department released its three-year NCAA Academic Progress Rates (APR) Wednesday, and the Tiger football team ranked among the top 30 percentile in the nation, while the Lady Tiger basketball program was among the top 10 percentile. The NCAA honored the Lady Tigers last week with a Public Recognition Award for their achievement.

All Memphis athletic teams showed improvement from the previous year's APR and will have no penalties, according to Dr. Joe Luckey, Director of Memphis' Center for Athletic Academic Services (CAAS).

"I am extremely proud of the strides made by all of our athletic teams," said Dr. Luckey. "Our coaches have been instrumental in emphasizing the importance of academics and our student-athletes have bought into the program."

The Tiger basketball squad APR is 916 and was an improvement over its rate from the previous year. The Tigers' APR of 916 is just under the national NCAA Division I average of 927. Other Memphis teams earning APR increases for 2005-06 were men's cross country/track and field (895) and men's soccer (922).

The Memphis football squad's APR is 954, which is above the national Division I average of 931. The Lady Tiger basketball team's APR is 992, while the national Division I average is 960.

Other Memphis APRs are baseball (958), men's golf (975), men's tennis (943), rifle (974), women's cross country (964), women's golf (985), women's soccer (960), softball (980), women's tennis (965), women's track and field (941) and volleyball (986).

The APR system is based on eligibility and retention. Every student-athlete can earn up to two points each term - one for eligibility and one for returning to school. If a student-athlete maintains eligibility for the next semester and returns, the team he or she plays for gets two points. If a student-athlete is eligible but leaves school, the institution gets one point. If a student-athlete loses eligibility and also leaves school, the institution earns no points. Every student-athlete's score is added up and divided by the maximum number of points attainable to come up with a team total and APR.

While the NCAA will require a four-year average score for each sport, the current multi-year average only includes the 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 academic years. Institutions that fall under a multi-year threshold of 925 or a single-year mark of 900 will be subject to penalties.

The following is Memphis' multi-year APR for all sports:

Sport                                     APR
Baseball                                  958
Men's Basketball                          916
Women's Basketball                        992
Men's Cross Country                       895
Women's Cross Country                     964
Football                                  954
Men's Golf                                975
Women's Golf                              985
Rifle (Men's/Women's)                     974
Men's Soccer                              922
Women's Soccer                            960
Softball                                  980
Men's Track/Field                         895
Women's Track/Field                       941
Volleyball                                986