Miami Athletics Fare Well In NCAA Academic Progress Report

Feb. 28, 2005

CORAL GABLES, Fla. –

According to Academic Progress Report (APR) figures released by the NCAA today, the University of Miami’s athletic department had an overall score of 968 out of a possible 1000 well ahead of the 948 average of all universities.  Programs were required to meet the score of 925, known as the “cut rate” in order to avoid penalties under this system.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

Eight of the school’s 17 sports–men’s cross country, women’s basketball, women’s cross country, women’s soccer, women’s swimming, women’s tennis, women’s indoor track and women’s outdoor track, had a perfect 1000 score.  Only men’s basketball which had several players transfer this year following a coaching change in that sport, did not reach the mandated “cut rate”.  However, their score of 907 was within the confidence boundary established by the NCAA.  Therefore, the team would not be subject to a penalty.

“We are very pleased and excited about the results of the survey,” UM Director of Athletics Paul Dee commented.  “These figures reflect the commitment and hard work of our student-athletes, coaches and academic support staff.”

The APR uses a system based on eligibility and retention.  Student-athletes earn two points each term, one for eligibility and one for returning to school. If that student-athlete maintains eligibility and returns to school, he or she receives two points.  If the student-athlete maintains eligibility but transfers to another school, they only are credited with one point.  No points are awarded if the player transfers or quits school and is not eligible.  Team totals and APR are derived from these figures for the 2003-2004 school year.

If a team falls below the “cut rate” and is not within the confidence boundary, the team is subject to contemporaneous penalties.  The penalty would prevent an institution from re-awarding the aid of a student-athlete that leaves the institution not eligible to compete.

NCAA ACADEMIC PROGRESS REPORT RESULTS BY SPORT

Sport                                        UM Average                             National Average

Baseball                                                932                                           922

Men’s Basketball                                   907                                           923

Men’s Cross Country                              1000                                         954

Football                                                 946                                           923

Men’s Tennis                                         950                                           955

Men’s Track (Indoor)                               985                                           923

Men’s Track (Outdoor)                            990                                           946

Women’s Basketball                              1000                                         956

Women’s Cross Country                        1000                                         958

Women’s Rowing                                   990                                           981

Women’s Golf                                        969                                           970

Women’s Soccer                                   1000                                         970

Women’s Swimming                              1000                                         975

Women’s Tennis                                    1000                                         967

Women’s Track (Indoor)                          1000                                         957

Women’s Track (Outdoor)                       1000                                         959

Women’s Volleyball                                978                                          965