April 24, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Sixteen sports teams from West Coast Conference schools were among the 712 Division I teams honored by the NCAA with public recognition awards for their latest multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores, the NCAA announced on Thursday.

These teams posted multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports. The public recognition awards are part of the broad Division I academic reform effort.

The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester 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.

High-performing teams receiving awards posted APR scores ranging from 965 to a perfect 1,000, said NCAA President Myles Brand.

"Congratulations to these teams and their student-athletes for success in the classroom," Brand said. "They are setting a great example for their peers and future student-athletes, as well."

WCC TEAMS EARNING NCAA APR PUBLIC RECOGNITION AWARDS

Gonzaga University
Men's Cross Country
Men's Tennis
Men's Track, Outdoor
Women's Golf

Loyola Marymount University
Men's Cross Country
Men's Track, Outdoor
Women's Track, Outdoor

Pepperdine University
Men's Water Polo
Women's Golf
Women's Soccer

University of Portland
Men's Track, Indoor
Women's Soccer
Women's Volleyball

University of San Diego
Women's Softball

Santa Clara University
Women's Soccer
Women's Water Polo