Campus News

UAlbany Athletes Make the Grade

(March 3, 2005)

Student-athletes at the University at Albany on Division I scholarships are making the grade, according to new data released by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Six of the 10 schools in the America East Conference, including UAlbany, met the new minimum academic performance standards set by the NCAA. UAlbany exceeds the overall academic progress rate (APR) for all Division I institutions (976). UAlbany continues to stress the importance of academic achievement for student-athletes.

“The performance by our student-athletes on the NCAA APR reflects the mission and values of the University as demonstrated by students, faculty, and staff. We are preparing our student- athletes for leadership, service, and lifelong learning,” said UAlbany Director of Athletics Lee McElroy.

The new academic progress rate compiled by the NCAA tracks retention of scholarship athletes by their schools and whether they stay academically eligible and ultimately graduate. The APR data are for 2003-2004.

Teams must reach an APR score of 925, or they are subject to a penalty. An APR of 925 reflects a 50 percent graduation rate.

Out of 326 Division I teams, more than half, or 183, had at least one program judged substandard by the NCAA. In Division I-A, 66 percent, or 77 of 117 schools had at least one substandard program.

UAlbany's APR Report >>