BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-- Five Samford University teams have received public recognition awards for the 2011-12 academic year from the National Collegiate Athletic Association.  The NCAA released its public recognition awards June 5 for the teams achieving the highest level of academic performance in Division I.
 
“Our student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom, in the community and on the court,” Samford director of athletics Martin Newton said. “The pride they take in their academics, their dedication to balancing both academics and athletics,  and their consistent performance in the classroom is something that makes the athletics department and the entire university proud.” 
 
Samford teams that received the public recognition awards are men's basketball, men's golf, women's cross country, women's soccer and women's tennis.
 
These teams posted multiyear Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores in the top 10 percent of all squads nationally in their respective sports. The public recognition awards are part of a broad Division I academic reform effort.
 
With the five teams earning recognition this year, Samford has had at least five teams earn the award in each year of the eight-year existence of the APR. The school's women's cross country team has earned recognition each year as well.
 
"Samford student-athletes excel in the classroom as well as in their competitive sports." said J. Bradley Creed, Samford's provost and executive vice president. “This consistent national recognition affirms their commitment to meeting Samford's rigorous academic requirements while pursuing excellence in athletics competition. We are proud of their accomplishments, just as we are proud of all Samford students who excel in academic and extracurricular pursuits.”
 
Having five teams receive recognition ranks Samford tied for first among Division I schools in the state of Alabama, along with the University of Alabama. In the state, behind Samford and Alabama, UAB had two teams to receive public recognition, while Jacksonville State had one. Samford also ranks near the top of the nine SoCon schools that received public recognition.
 
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.
 
SAMFORD'S YEAR-BY-YEAR BREAKDOWN OF PUBLIC RECOGNITION AWARDS
2004-05                       8
2005-06                       6
2006-07                       5
2007-08                       5
2008-09                       5
2009-10                       7
2010-11                       5
2011-12                       5