Published on January 13, 2010 by Joey Mullins  
Posted by Joey Mullins on 2010-06-09

Samford University had 11 teams post perfect scores for the 2008-09 school year in the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate (APR) Public Report, released by the association on Wednesday, June 9.

"Once again, Samford University students have demonstrated that they excel academically," Samford president Dr. Andrew Westmoreland said. "And, that our student-athletes are as competitive academically as they are athletically is a testimony to their commitment as true student-athletes. Samford is proud that we are leaders among our peer groups and in the state of Alabama with our annual and multi-year Academic Progress Ratings."

In addition to the 11 perfect scores of 1,000, four other Samford teams posted scores of 975 or higher. Samford's average score for the year is 991.5, up from 989.4 in last year's report.

In the mutli-year report, three of Samford's teams (men's golf, women's golf, women's cross country) turned in perfect scores. The sports of women's basketball (996), women's soccer (995), women's indoor track (997), women's outdoor track (991) and volleyball (990) each posted multi-year scores of at least 990.

"To have 11 teams post perfect scores again this year is an outstanding achievement for our student-athletes," Samford director of athletics Bob Roller said. "Our mutli-year scores, however, are what really prove that they have consistently performed at a high level in the classroom."

Eight of Samford's athletic teams posted multi-year scores in the 80th percentile or higher in their respective sport nationally, and five teams scored in the 90th percentile or higher, earning Public Recognition Awards. All 17 of Samford's sports were above the national average in the report.

Samford either led or tied for the lead among schools in the state of Alabama in 14 sports. Samford had the highest score in the state in baseball, men's basketball, men's cross country, men's golf, men's tennis, men's indoor track, men's outdoor track, women's basketball, women's cross country, women's golf, women's soccer, women's indoor track, women's outdoor track and volleyball.

Among Southern Conference schools, Samford is tied for first in men's golf, women's golf and women's cross country. Eleven of Samford's teams rank in the top four in the SoCon.

The APR compilations, first made public in 2005, are based on academic eligibility, retention and graduation rates for student-athletes at all 334 NCAA Division I member institutions. Samford competes in eight men's and nine women's varsity sports at the Division I level. In the inaugural overall ratings, involving the 2003-04 school year, Samford tied for seventh nationally.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.