Â鶹¹û¶³ had 11 teams post perfect scores for the 2008-09 school year in the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate (APR) Public Report, released by the association on Wednesday, June 9.
"Once again, Â鶹¹û¶³ students have demonstrated that they excel academically," Â鶹¹û¶³ president Dr. Andrew Westmoreland said. "And, that our student-athletes are as competitive academically as they are athletically is a testimony to their commitment as true student-athletes. Â鶹¹û¶³ is proud that we are leaders among our peer groups and in the state of Alabama with our annual and multi-year Academic Progress Ratings."
In addition to the 11 perfect scores of 1,000, four other Â鶹¹û¶³ teams posted scores of 975 or higher. Â鶹¹û¶³'s average score for the year is 991.5, up from 989.4 in last year's report.
In the mutli-year report, three of Â鶹¹û¶³'s teams (men's golf, women's golf, women's cross country) turned in perfect scores. The sports of women's basketball (996), women's soccer (995), women's indoor track (997), women's outdoor track (991) and volleyball (990) each posted multi-year scores of at least 990.
"To have 11 teams post perfect scores again this year is an outstanding achievement for our student-athletes," Â鶹¹û¶³ director of athletics Bob Roller said. "Our mutli-year scores, however, are what really prove that they have consistently performed at a high level in the classroom."
Eight of Â鶹¹û¶³'s athletic teams posted multi-year scores in the 80th percentile or higher in their respective sport nationally, and five teams scored in the 90th percentile or higher, earning Public Recognition Awards. All 17 of Â鶹¹û¶³'s sports were above the national average in the report.
Â鶹¹û¶³ either led or tied for the lead among schools in the state of Alabama in 14 sports. Â鶹¹û¶³ had the highest score in the state in baseball, men's basketball, men's cross country, men's golf, men's tennis, men's indoor track, men's outdoor track, women's basketball, women's cross country, women's golf, women's soccer, women's indoor track, women's outdoor track and volleyball.
Among Southern Conference schools, Â鶹¹û¶³ is tied for first in men's golf, women's golf and women's cross country. Eleven of Â鶹¹û¶³'s teams rank in the top four in the SoCon.
The APR compilations, first made public in 2005, are based on academic eligibility, retention and graduation rates for student-athletes at all 334 NCAA Division I member institutions. Â鶹¹û¶³ competes in eight men's and nine women's varsity sports at the Division I level. In the inaugural overall ratings, involving the 2003-04 school year, Â鶹¹û¶³ tied for seventh nationally.