May 17, 2011

NCAA Release

SAN BRUNO, Calif. -- The West Coast Conference had 15 programs honored with the NCAA's APR Public Recognition Award, as announced by the NCAA office on Tuesday. Five of the eight WCC member institutions had teams that were recognized by the NCAA.

The University of Portland led the way amongst WCC schools, with five teams recognized, including its nationally-ranked women's soccer team. Gonzaga University and Santa Clara University each had three teams honored, while Loyola Marymount University and Pepperdine University had two apiece.

"Congratulations to all of the teams in the West Coast Conference that have been recognized by the NCAA for their academic efforts," said WCC Commissioner Jamie Zaninovich. "The commitment of these programs to academic values is exemplary and truly representative of the core educational missions of our member institutions and the WCC."

Each year the NCAA honors selected Division I sports teams by publicly recognizing their latest multiyear APR. This announcement is part of the overall Division I academic reform effort and is intended to highlight teams who demonstrate a commitment to academic progress and retention of student-athletes by achieving the top APRs within their respective sports. Specifically, these teams posted multiyear APRs in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport.

The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship. The APR accounts for eligibility and retention to measure each team's academic performance. The most recent APRs are based on scores from the 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10 academic years.

WCC TEAMS EARNING NCAA APR PUBLIC RECOGNITION AWARDS

Gonzaga
Men's Basketball
Men's Soccer
Women's Golf

Loyola Marymount
Men's Golf
Women's Swimming

Pepperdine
Men's Golf
Men's Volleyball

Portland
Women's Basketball
Women's Soccer
Women's Track (Indoor)
Women's Track (Outdoor)
Women's Volleyball

Santa Clara
Women's Rowing
Women's Track (Outdoor)
Women's Water Polo