Bulldogs exceed APR benchmark in all sports
Once again, Mississippi State exceeded the benchmark Academic Progress Rate (APR) multiyear rate of 930 in all 16 of its intercollegiate sport programs. All programs surpassed the benchmark by at least 33 points with 13 teams scoring at least 974 or better.
The Bulldogs averaged a rate of 981.7 for all of its programs. The average is based on the 15 APR scores released for MSU. The NCAA combines APR scores for indoor and outdoor track and field.
"The latest APR report reflects that Mississippi State student-athletes continue to raise the bar academically on their way to graduation," MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said. "I want to credit and thank our coaches, academic support staff and most importantly our student-athletes for their commitment to academic progress. We are proud of these achievements and the progress we have made. We will continue to strive each day to provide our young men and women with the resources and opportunities to succeed in all aspects of their student-athlete experience."
Earlier this month, the Bulldogs' women's tennis program earned a NCAA Public Recognition Award for ranking among the top 10 percent of women's tennis teams nationally. The program scored a perfect 1,000 multiyear rate for the fourth consecutive year.
Volleyball and softball were the second-highest among State's varsity sports, each recording a 995. It marked volleyball's highest score on record and the sixth-straight year softball has produced a 990 or better. Women's golf (986), women's track (986) and soccer (985) were the next highest marks.
Football made an eight-point gain and paced the men's sports with a 984. It marked the fourth straight year the football program's APR increased and is the highest multiyear rate recorded by the football program since APR was implemented. This year's APR multiyear rate of 984 eclipsed the previous record of 976 set last year, ranked tied for third-best among Southeastern Conference football programs, and marked the seventh straight year the football program recorded a 970 or better.
In addition to football and volleyball, baseball (+8; 969), women's golf (+7; 986), men's golf (+6; 980), men's track (+4; 963), women's track (+1; 986) and men's basketball (+1; 975) also saw improvements in APR multiyear rates.
Men's basketball improved for the second straight year, turning in a 975, its best multiyear rate ever which eclipsed its previous record of 974 in both 2017-18 and 2015-16. Women's basketball posted a 978 and has recorded a 970 or better in each of the last five years.
To compete in the 2020-21 postseason, teams must achieve a 930 four-year APR. NCAA members chose the 930 standard because that score predicts, on average, a 50 percent graduation rate for teams at that APR level. Additionally, teams must earn at least a 930 four-year APR to avoid penalties.
The Academic Progress Rate (APR) is a measure of classroom performance related to all participating NCAA Division I athletic programs. It is considered to be the NCAA's "real-time" snapshot of academic progress, graduation and retention.
Brandon Langlois | Athletics
