INDIANAPOLIS – More than half of the University of South Alabama's sport programs achieved a perfect 1,000 NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) for the 2014-15 academic year, and every Jaguar team is above the organization's standards to compete in postseason play, it was announced on Wednesday.
South squads that had a 1,000 single-year score a year ago include baseball, men's basketball, men's and women's cross country and track and field, men's and women's golf, and men's tennis. The group featured a pair of Sun Belt Conference champions — men's cross country claimed the title at the league championship that fall, with baseball earning the regular-season crown in the spring — while the Jags' two track and field teams had three All-Americans at the NCAA Outdoor Championship in June.
"We brought in the right student-athletes," said head baseball coach Mark Calvi. "You have to recruit good students, then you have to track them while they are here; the key to the APR is eligibility and retention. You can take your chances on a guy here or there, but we've made it a point to pass on high-risk academic kids even if it meant we missed a pretty good player because of past problems we've come out of. Managing eligibility and retention is so much easier when you bring good students in.
"A lot of times, there is a direct correlation between things off and on the field; if you see a program with academic issues, a lot of times that translates to performance issues. We've had kids who have all toed the line, they have carried their weight and then some, and for us it has translated on the field. There is a certain type of character that goes into being a good student, being diligent, not missing class — I'm a stickler on being in class — and usually that kind of kid, if talented enough, has the characteristics of a good baseball player. If you put enough of them together here comes a pretty good APR score and a pretty good team."
"We are very proud of our APR scores across the board, especially for cross country," head track and field coach Paul Brueske added. "When I first came here I inherited some academic and APR issues, and Dr. Erdmann and I wanted to improve that. We are very particular about who we bring in, I don't take shortcuts and go after people who aren't serious students. Something that is very important to me personally is that I want to have kids who are student-athletes who take academics seriously.
"It's a testament that we are bringing in kids who are doing well academically and athletically, and are staying and graduating. That's something we are proud of, we want to continue bringing in first-class student-athletes."
Every USA program scored a 942 or better for its single-year APR during the 2014-15 campaign, with each at a 947 or above for its four-year rate. Ten Jaguar teams were at or above the national four-year average for their sport as well. The NCAA issues penalties, including a ban on postseason play, to teams with a multi-year rate below 930.
In competition during the 2014-15 academic year, the Jags earned six Sun Belt Conference regular-season and tournament titles en route to claiming the Vic Bubas Cup — presented to the best performer in all 18 sports offered by the league — while four teams competed in postseason play on a national level.
Within the Sun Belt, USA's 988 combined single-year APR score for 2014-15 was best in the league, as the Jaguars' nine programs with 1,000 points led their sports while football, soccer and women's basketball all were ranked among the top half of the conference. With a 979 combined four-year APR — which included 12 sports in the top half — the Jags' athletic department stands second in the SBC.
"We commend our student-athletes, coaches, and Athletics Academic Services staff for their relentless efforts to maintain the balance necessary to produce excellence in the classroom while competing at the highest level," Daniel McCarthy, Associate Athletic Director for Internal Affairs, said. "From the moment our student-athletes first step on campus, they hear an unwavering message that defines what it means to be a South Alabama Jaguar. Each and every day, we strive for greatness in the classroom, in the community, and in competition. We should all be very proud of the data released today because it once again highlights that hard work and commitment to academic success can produce incredible results."
"Thanks to the tremendous support from our university administration, we have been able to provide our student-athletes with a top-notch facility and the resources needed for our student-athletes to be successful in the classroom while competing at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics," explained Jason Kelly, Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Services. "We have a great group of coaches who recruit student-athletes who not only want to compete and win on the field and court, but also want to win in the classroom."
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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