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SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah achieved the highest score they have ever received after the results for the Academic Progress Rating dropped in on May 24.
The University of Utah got an outstanding score of 976, an increase of 11-points from last year's rating, and a 20-point leap from two years ago.
Not only was Utah's score one of the best in the Pac-12 conference, but thirteen of their sports teams were able to raise their scores significantly from last year's ratings. Teams among the highest increases were volleyball, which raised their score by 32 points, along with outdoor track that was able to get a boost of 24 points.
The APR is a standard by the NCAA that scores the success of collegiate sports teams in their likelihood of athletic students' eligibility and graduation. The NCAA scores colleges and their sports programs based on their individual player's academic achievements during their time at the college and after they leave. To be awarded 1000 points is a perfect rating, indicating that upon receiving 925 points, the school's sports teams are generating a required 50% graduation rate.
What's the big deal? What does all this mean?
If the NCAA goes to a college and is able to penalize it enough, they could potentially take away scholarships, players could get suspended from playing and it can affect heavily on how that sports team is perceived by drafts. Along with the penalties, the NCAA also presents awards to teams that score well above the required points.
Both the men's tennis and men's basketball teams placed in the top 10-percent of all Division I teams and received the NCAA Public Recognition Awards.
A lot of coaches despise the APR even though there are a lot of regulations that can go into place to keep their athletes academically committed. Making a standard for players to hold a high grade point average to be able to play on the team is a way a lot of coaches keep their students' academic levels at a respectable place.
