BERKELEY – Three University of California, Berkeley intercollegiate athletic programs – men’s tennis, women’s tennis and women’s gymnastics – have earned Public Recognition Awards from the NCAA for their exceptional results in the latest Academic Progress Rate scores.
Each of the Golden Bear teams are receiving national notice for at least the fourth year in a row, demonstrating their long-term success in the classroom. The men’s tennis team’s streak is six consecutive years with a Public Recognition Award, while the run for women’s tennis is five years and women’s gymnastics is at four straight. All three programs posted multiyear APR scores of 1,000 – the highest possible – for the four-year period that spans from the 2009-10 academic year through 2013-14.
Overall, Cal has had 20 teams earn special distinction over the past six years – second-most in the Pac-12 during that span – and 10 different programs have been publically recognized since the NCAA began acknowledging teams in 2004-05.
In addition to their academic achievements, Cal’s men’s and women’s tennis and gymnastics programs have performed well in their respective areas of competition. Men’s tennis advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 16th consecutive season this spring, reaching the second round, while women’s tennis earned the NCAA’s No. 3 overall seed and had four individuals earn spots in the NCAA singles and doubles tournaments. Women’s gymnastics completed one of its most accomplished seasons ever earlier this spring, finishing 18th in the final national poll and setting numerous school records along the way.
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 that 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, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.
Multiyear APRs for all Division I sports teams, including the teams receiving public recognition, will be announced May 27.
