May 6, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky . – The NCAA released its Academic Progress Rate report on Wednesday, showing that all 22 of the University of Kentucky sports teams surpassed the NCAA target score and that 12 of the 22 squads exceeded the national average for public universities in their sports.

The women's soccer team led the way for UK with 983 out of a possible 1,000 points, followed by women's swimming (981), men's basketball (979), women's outdoor track (977), gymnastics (977) and men's cross country (975). The marks are a four-year composite, covering the 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years, that measures academic eligibility and retention of student-athletes. The NCAA target score for each sport is 925.

The 12 Wildcat teams that exceeded the national average among public universities in their sports included baseball (949), men's basketball (979), women's basketball (973), men's cross country (975), football (948), women's soccer (983), women's swimming (981), men's indoor track (967), women's indoor track (972), men's outdoor track (970), women's outdoor track (977) and rifle (967).

From a department-wide standpoint, the current report can be considered UK's most successful in the five-year history of the APR.

• UK's lowest team score this year was 941, the first time that every Wildcat team tallied at least 16 points above the NCAA benchmark.
• In April, UK's men's basketball team received a public recognition award from the NCAA for finishing among the top 10 percent in its sport. It is the first UK team to get a public recognition award.
• 11 teams notched a perfect 1,000 score for the 2007-08 school year – women's basketball, men's cross country, women's cross country, men's golf, rifle, softball, men's tennis, women's tennis, women's indoor track, women's outdoor track and volleyball.

“I'm very pleased with our overall evaluation,” said Mitch Barnhart, UK Director of Athletics. “Our coaches and support personnel are doing a good job adjusting to the requirements of the APR and we will continue to work toward more success. Most of all, our student-athletes should be commended for their efforts in striving for outstanding performance in the classroom.”

With each team exceeding the NCAA target score, no Wildcat squads are subject to penalties, such as scholarship reductions or postseason restrictions.