May 7, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Samford University's athletic teams received high scores in the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate (APR) Public Report, released by the association on Tuesday, May 6.

"Of all the scoreboards for intercollegiate athletics, we are extremely proud to score so well again in these APR results," Director of Athletics Bob Roller said. "Samford student-athletes have consistently been ranked near the top of these very important statistical sheets, and we applaud these young women and men. It's a credit to the type of student-athlete that our coaches recruit to Samford and to the work of Peter Neuberger (Senior Associate Athletic Director) and Chris Scott of our Academic Enhancement Program."

Eight of Samford'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.

"Strong academic success is a hallmark at Samford University," University Provost Dr. Brad Creed said. "We are especially proud that we are a university where student-athletes achieve the same high levels of academic success we have come to expect from all our undergraduate students."

Two Samford teams (women's cross country and women's golf) scored a perfect 1,000 in the report, and nine of Samford's 17 teams scored a 980 or better. Samford's average score was 981.4.

Among schools in the state of Alabama, Samford ranks first in 11 of its 17 sports. The Bulldogs are second in the state in five sports. In the Ohio Valley Conference, Samford leads in nine sports and ranks second in four sports.

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. Samford competes in eight men's and nine women's varsity sports at the Division I level. In the inaugural overall ratings in 2005, Samford tied for seventh nationally.

SAMFORD'S APR SCORES BY SPORT (Scores are out of a possible 1000 points)
Women's
Basketball, 995
Cross Country, 1000
Golf, 1000
Soccer, 991
Softball, 979
Tennis, 980
Track, Indoor, 994
Track, Outdoor, 994
Volleyball, 972

Men's
Baseball, 961
Basketball, 970
Cross Country, 978
Football, 963
Golf, 982
Tennis, 984
Track, Indoor, 970
Track, Outdoor, 971