Pitt Athletic Programs Exceed NCAA Academic Standards in Latest Report Card

All 19 varsity athletic programs at the University of Pittsburgh exceeded the Academic Progress Rate (APR) standards set by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), according to the NCAA’s latest report card.

Pitt junior guard Ashton Gibbs of the Pitt men's basketball team, recognized with the gymnastics team for its academic excellence during a four-year period from 2006-07 through 2009-10.

The report lists full APR scores and penalties for all NCAA Division I athletic programs. APR scores are based upon academic progress and graduation and retention rates over a four-year period, covering academic years 2006-07 through 2009-10.

The NCAA also recognized two of Pitt’s programs—men’s basketball and gymnastics—for their multiyear APR scores and for being ranked among the top 10 percent in their respective sports among NCAA Division I programs, with all of those respective top-performing NCAA Division I teams registering APR scores ranging from 977 to 1,000, a perfect score. The Pitt gymnastics program received 1,000 points, while men’s basketball posted a multiyear rate of 985, one of the highest totals in the Big East.

Thirteen of Pitt’s 19 sports improved their scores from the 2010 data release, with the largest improvements coming from baseball and men’s basketball (25 and 23 points, respectively). Women’s basketball saw its score increase from 980 to 990, owing to perfect scores (1,000 in both eligibility/graduation and retention) in three of the past four academic years. Women’s basketball was tied for second in the ranking—with the University of Connecticut—among Big East schools.

The Pitt gymnastics team.

Women’s swimming posted the second-highest score among Pitt athletic squads with a multiyear rate of 992 and was also rated second-best in the league. The 10 Panthers women’s programs  recorded no score lower than 970 for the multiyear period.

The APR is a measure of academic performance for all participating NCAA Division I athletic programs. Schools who fail to reach the NCAA’s minimum score of 925 can receive penalties, including loss of scholarships, public admonishment, restrictions on practice and competition, and even expulsion from the NCAA.