April 27, 2007

CINCINNATI - The NCAA has recognized eight Xavier athletic programs with Public Recognition Awards for the academic excellence of their student-athletes.  The award is given to the top ten percent of teams in each sport based on the NCAA Academic Progress rate.  The APR is a term-by-term progress for every student-athlete in Division I athletics.

Xavier programs receiving acknowledgment include: men's basketball, men's baseball, men's indoor track, men's swimming, women's cross country, women's indoor track, women's outdoor track and women's tennis.

XU track and cross country programs represent half of the Xavier teams honored by the NCAA. "Our student-athletes take a lot of pride in their academic performance," said head coach Steve Nester.  "They realize if their number one focus is academics, they will have a tremendous advantage once they enter the work force. It begins with our recruiting process. Unless they are strong in the classroom, regardless of how fast they are, I will not initiate the recruiting process. That's our recipe of success."

The 839 teams receiving awards this year represent 217 Division I colleges and universities, or two-thirds of the 326 institutions that compete in NCAA Division I athletics. High-performing teams receiving awards posted APR scores ranging from 975 to a perfect 1,000, said NCAA president Myles Brand.

Xavier's eight total teams being recognized was bested by only Fordham (9) in the Atlantic 10.  Among conferences, only the Ivy League (8) and Patriot League (6) had more institutions recognized than the A-10's five.