The University of New Mexico has once again scored high marks in the NCAA Academic Progress Rate Institutional Report, released publicly by the NCAA today. Today's report, which is the 2012-13 report, marks the fourth consecutive year that the Lobos have had all 21 sports above the mandated 930 mark.
UNM recently had a school record three programs in men's basketball, men's tennis and women's golf all earn public recognition from the NCAA for finishing in the top 10 percent of all Division I schools in a particular sport in APR. APR data for the 2012-13 report is a four-year rolling score that include APR data from 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13. The 2012-13 single-year data replaces the 2008-09 single-year data for this report.
APR is a combination of eligibility and retention scores. For each semester, a student-athlete can account for two points, one for returning to school, and one for being eligible. The total points accumulated is divided by the total points possible, and then multiplied by 1000 to get the raw score.
All 21 of UNM's sports were easily above the 930 mark established by the NCAA, and in fact, 19 of the 21 sports were above 962. Seven sports, men's basketball, men's golf, men's skiing, men's tennis, women's cross country, women's golf, and women's skiing had perfect 1000s for the 2012-13 single-season report.
Both men's tennis and women's golf had perfect four-year scores of 1000, while seven others scored in a 990s (men's basketball 990, men's golf 994, men's skiing 993, women's cross country 992, women's skiing 992, women's soccer 994, and women's indoor track 990).
"APR is a very important tool used by the NCAA, and it has been a focal point for our university to strive to be a leader in APR, and to have a fourth consecutive year and outstanding APR scores speaks volumes of the work our student-athletes put in," said Vice President of Athletics Paul Krebs.
One of the keys to UNM's APR success is the Lobo Center for Student-Athlete Success, located across from Branch Field at University Stadium and The Pit. The LCSAS houses UNM's athletics' Student Success Managers, who oversee the academic progress of UNM's student-athletes. The LCSAS has two complete computer labs, meeting and private study spaces, classroom, and tutoring stations. The building also houses a seven-person academic advising and success staff, headed by Associate A.D. for Student Development Henry Villegas, Two Learning strategists and a clinical Psychologist.
"Our student-athletes do a great job in the classroom," said Villegas. "Our coaching staff also deserves credit, as they have really taken APR to heart, and they understand that our mission at the University of New Mexico is to graduate student-athletes."