MIAMI – FIU Athletics had a total of five programs post perfect scores in the annual release of the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate (APR), which was announced on Tuesday.
FIU had each of its athletic programs post above the required multi-year score of 930. Additionally, 10 teams met or beat their sport's national average to further FIU's commitment to academic excellence.
The men's soccer, men's cross country, women's golf, beach volleyball and women's swimming and programs each posted perfect APR scores of 1,000 in the 2020-21 edition of the report.
Women's golf posted a perfect score for the seventh consecutive reporting of APR, while men's soccer secured it for the second straight time. Both programs rank among the top-10 percent in their respective sports nationally.
The 10 FIU programs to best the national average for their sports included men's soccer, men's cross country, men's track and field, baseball, women's golf, beach volleyball, women's swimming and diving, women's cross country, softball and women's track and field.
The men's soccer program finished 21 points ahead of its sport's national average to lead the way at FIU.
In addition, 10 FIU programs matched or improved their score from the last time APR scores were released in 2020.
The 2022 report released by the NCAA features a four-year compilation of APR data from the 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 academic years.
Each academic year, every Division I sports team across the country calculates its APR using a simple and consistent formula. Each term, scholarship student-athletes can earn one (1) point for remaining eligible and one (1) point for staying in school or graduating. For schools that do not offer scholarships, recruited student-athletes are tracked.
The Academic Performance Program has established an essential framework for academic excellence. The program provides measurable goals to ensure schools are fulfilling their commitment of equipping student-athletes with the tools and resources necessary to achieve academic success.
Throughout 18 years of the Academic Performance Program, more than 20,000 student-athletes have gone back to school to earn their degrees — earning points for their former team. For the high-profile sports of football, baseball, and men's and women's basketball, more than 10,400 former student-athletes have returned to college to complete their degrees. These student-athletes are typically not counted in the federal graduation rate or Graduation Success Rate calculations.
The minimum APR academic standard for each team is 930. Typically, teams that scored below the benchmark would have to face penalties that encourage an emphasis and prioritization on academics. However, due to the current penalty suspension in place, teams will not be subjected to penalties this year.
Last year, APR data was not released publicly, and penalties were not assessed. The Division I Committee on Academics has developed and implemented policies and initiatives to improve academic support services on campuses.
FIU Academic Progress Rate (APR) Report – 2020-21
Men's Sports – Multi-year Rate
Baseball – 977
Basketball – 970
Cross Country – 1000
Football – 966
Soccer – 1000
Track & Field – 989
Women's Sports – Multi-year Rate
Basketball – 955
Beach Volleyball – 1000
Cross Country – 995
Golf – 1000
Softball – 992
Soccer – 972
Swimming & Diving – 1000
Tennis – 982
Track & Field – 985
Volleyball – 984
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