INDIANAPOLIS (5/3/2017) -- For the 12th-straight year, the University of Detroit Mercy men's fencing team received an outstanding honor as they earned a NCAA Public Recognition Award on Wednesday.
In total, the NCAA recognized more than 1,200 Division I teams for outstanding academic achievements.
The Titan men's fencing program boasted a perfect 1,000 APR score and is now one of just 93 teams in the nation to earn a Public Recognition Award every year in the 12-year history of the NCAA accolade.
This year, 1,203 teams were recognized for academic performance: 746 women's teams and 457 men's teams or co-ed teams. The total number of teams being recognized increased by 132 from a year ago, largely as a result of an increase in perfect scores. Scores for programs in the top 10 percent ranged from 984 to a perfect 1,000, with 1,090 teams earning a perfect score.
A total of 306 schools had teams recognized with Public Recognition Awards.
Based on their most recent multiyear Academic Progress Rates, these teams have earned NCAA Public Recognition Awards for posting scores in the top 10 percent of their sport. The APR is an annual scorecard of academic achievement calculated for all Division I sports teams.
"NCAA student-athletes and schools continue to achieve unprecedented levels of academic success," said Mark Emmert, NCAA president. "We commend these programs for their commitment to academic excellence and dedication to preparing student-athletes for life after college."
APR scores for all Division I teams will be released May 10. The APR measures eligibility, graduation and retention each semester or academic term and provides a clear picture of the academic performance for each team in every sport. All teams must meet an academic threshold of 930 to qualify for the postseason and can face penalties for continued low academic performance.
The most recent APRs are multiyear rates based on scores from the 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 academic years.
