Northwestern University Athletics

Mike Roberge vs. MSU

Wildcats Receive 12 NCAA APR Public Recognition Awards

5/31/2016 11:52:00 AM | Men's Soccer

EVANSTON, Ill. – The NCAA announced today that 12 Wildcats varsity athletic programs received Public Recognition Awards as part of the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) program for the 2014-15 academic year.

"The ability of our young men and women to excel in a rigorous academic environment and continually improve upon an already impressive resume is nothing short of remarkable," said Jim Phillips, vice president for athletics & recreation. "Wildcats student-athletes continue to set a standard academically that makes our entire University community proud."

Northwestern's 12 teams earned the honor for placing in the top 10 percent of their respective sports in the latest multi-year APR scores. NU had 63 percent (12-of-19) of its teams earn the recognition, leading the Big Ten and ranking in the Top-3 of all FBS schools. The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on data from the 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 academic years.

The Wildcats programs receiving Public Recognition Awards for the current cohort are baseball, field hockey, football, men's soccer, women's soccer, men's swimming and diving, women's swimming and diving, softball, women's basketball, women's cross country, women's golf, and volleyball.

Northwestern's men's soccer, women's golf and volleyball teams are among an elite group of 110 teams across the country that have received the Public Recognition Award in each of the 11 years of the program.

Wildcats football earned one of the Top-5 APR scores in all of FBS, and was one of four Big Ten teams to be recognized. Northwestern posted a 3-0 record on the field during the 2015 season against the other members of the Top-5, with victories over Duke, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

In women's basketball, the 'Cats join Rutgers as the two Big Ten representatives among the 36 total programs recognized nationwide.

Each year, the NCAA honors selected Division I sports teams by publicly recognizing their latest multiyear NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate (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. This year's release will again include recognition in the sport of football by subdivision (i.e., Football Bowl Subdivision and NCAA Football Championship Subdivision).

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 April 20.

••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
 
Men's Soccer - Johnson, O’Reilly Power ‘Cats Past Ohio State In 2025 Finale, 2-1 (11/7/25)
Saturday, November 08
Men's Soccer - 'Cats Knock off No. 17 Hoosiers, 2-0 (10/31/25)
Saturday, November 01
Men's Soccer - 'Cats Blank Evansville In Non-Conference Finale, 1-0 (10/7/25)
Wednesday, October 08
Men's Soccer - 'Cats Earn Gutsy 2-1 Win Over Rutgers (9/19/25)
Saturday, September 20