The NCAA reported that 18 Penn State teams earned perfect APR scores of 1,000 in 2015-16, up from 13 in last year’s report and 10 squads in 2013-14, representing a 44 percent improvement over the past two years. A total of 22 squads (out of 29) equaled or surpassed their yearly APR score from 2014-15 and 18 teams equaled or surpassed their multi-year (four-year) APR score from the 2016 report.

The Penn State women’s tennis and women’s volleyball squads earned perfect multi-year (2012-13 through 2015-16) APR scores of 1,000. The women’s tennis team has earned a perfect multi-year Academic Progress Rate score in 11 of the 12 years the NCAA has released APR data. Women’s volleyball became the 13th different Nittany Lion squad to post at least one perfect 1,000 APR score.

“There are many reasons to be proud of our student-athletes–winning national championships, incredible service work, leadership on and off the field–but nothing makes me happier than to see a dramatic increase in the number of teams with perfect APRs,” said Penn State President Eric Barron. “Over the last two years, the number of teams with perfect APRs has nearly doubled, which is a credit to the student-athletes, coaches, and faculty and staff who support them year-round. Congratulations to everyone involved on a truly remarkable achievement.”

“Penn State student-athletes consistently demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the classroom and all their academic endeavors,” stated Director of Athletics Sandy Barbour. “I am constantly amazed by, and appreciative of, their efforts to prove that academic achievement and athletic success can co-exist at a high level.

“Penn State’s point of difference is the level to which our student-athletes achieve academically while competing for championships,” Barbour added. “This achievement only comes as the result of a collective and dedicated effort, and our coaches, Morgan Academic Center staff, faculty, support staff and the Office of Undergraduate Education all deserve our thanks for their contribution to these accomplishments. We are proud of these academic achievements, however, we will always strive to do better.”

Eighteen Penn State teams earn Perfect 1,000 APR Scores in 2015-16
The 18 Penn State teams that earned perfect APR scores of 1,000 in 2015-16 were: baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s cross country, women’s cross country, men’s fencing, women’s fencing, men’s golf, women’s golf, men’s hockey, men’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, women’s swimming and diving, women’s tennis, women’s track and field, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball and wrestling.

The Penn State men’s and women’s fencing, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and wrestling squads have all won NCAA Championships since 2014.

Nittany Lions’ Multi-Year APR Average Up Two Points from 2016 Report
The average multi-year APR score for Penn State’s 29 varsity teams is 986, up two points from last year, and well above the Division I average of 981, according to the NCAA. All 29 squads have a multi-year APR score of 965 or higher (35 points above the NCAA’s 930 figure for possible penalties). The men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field teams are combined in the APR data, reducing the number of Penn State teams from 31 to 29 in the compilation.

The Penn State women’s tennis team has earned 11 multi-year 1,000 APR scores in the 12 years the NCAA has announced multi-year data. The field hockey squad has earned nine multi-year 1,000 APR scores, followed by women’s cross country and wrestling with seven and women’s golf with six.

Nittany Lion Basketball Earns 10-Point Multi-Year APR Improvement; Football Up Nine Points The men’s basketball (+10 points), women’s basketball (+5) and football (+9) teams were among the 15 Penn State squads that improved their multi-year APR scores from the 2016 report. The largest gain was made by the women’s fencing squad (+17), followed by men’s basketball, football, men’s golf (+7), men’s hockey (+7), men’s soccer (+7), men’s lacrosse (+6) and men’s volleyball (+6).