ASU gets best of UA in NCAA academic report

It’s rare that Arizona State and Stanford get lumped together in any list that measures academic excellence, but welcome to the opaque world of the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate. 

Arizona State athletes ranked near the top among Pac-12 schools when it came to their academic performance last year.

The University of Arizona’s football and baseball teams claimed the worst APRs in their respective sports last year. 

The APR doesn’t come with the bragging rights of, say, a Territorial Cup win, but failing to meet the standards does come with penalties: Schools can be banned from postseason play if their teams don’t make the grade.

Arizona State’s overall NCAA Academic Progress Rate is a record 991 out of 1,000 for a four-year period from 2012-16. The previous mark for ASU was 986 in 2015.

What’s the APR?

APR scores, which measure eligibility and progress toward graduation for athletes, were announced Wednesday for all NCAA Division I sports. 

Schools must achieve a score of 930 (out of 1,000) to avoid penalties.

Among Pac-12 schools, Stanford’s overall APR was No. 1, followed by ASU.

“Since the institution of the APR program by the NCAA, we’ve seen continuous improvement culminating in our highest score to date,” Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson said in a statement released by the university. “This is a direct result of the hard work of our Office of Student-Athlete Development as well as our coaches, staff, faculty, and sport administrators.” 

So where does ASU fall?

Eleven ASU teams had their highest four-year APR score and eight are first in the Pac-12 in their sport. Fifteen of 20 ASU teams earned 1,000 for 2015-16 and seven scored 1,000 over the four-year period. As announced last week, a record seven ASU sports — men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, women’s tennis, volleyball and gymnastics — are ranked among the top 10 percent nationally in APR scores. 

ASU’s overall APR average has risen from 937 in 2003-04 to 991. This year, ASU also set a single-year record APR of 990, though the four-year average is what counts most. 

 “With 15 of 20 reporting teams earning a 1000 (or 100%) score for the 2015-16 academic year, a strong statement continues to be made about the comprehensive commitment to the academic excellence of Sun Devil student-athletes,” said Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development and Performance Jean Boyd.

SEE ALSO: 17 NCAA teams don’t make grade, get postseason ban

Pac-12 Academic Progress Rate (multi-year)

Football: Stanford 985, Washington 984, Utah 983, California 978, Oregon 974, Arizona State 971, UCLA 971, Colorado 968, USC 968, Washington State 964, Oregon State 956, Arizona 955.

Men’s basketball: Stanford 1000, Arizona State 990, Utah 990, Washington 986, Colorado 975, Arizona 974, California 970, USC 969, Washington State 953, Oregon 951, UCLA 950, Oregon State 945.

Baseball: USC 997, Washington 995, Stanford 993, Arizona State 992, Oregon State 985, Oregon 981, Utah 979, Washington State 972, UCLA 971, California 966, Arizona 963.

Women’s basketball: Arizona State1000, Stanford 1000, Oregon State 1000, Colorado 1000, Washington 990, Oregon 990, Washington State 986, UCLA 979, Utah 977, California 966, Arizona 959, USC 949.