(Editor's note: University of Montana media release)
MISSOULA -- The Montana women’s cross country and men’s tennis teams have received NCAA Public Recognition Awards, given to those programs ranking in the top 10 percent nationally in their sport based on the organization’s Academic Progress Rate.
It marks the seventh consecutive year Montana has had at least one program recognized, the sixth straight year the Grizzlies have had multiple programs receive the honor.
The women’s cross country team, under the direction of track and field coach Brian Schweyen, was recognized for the seventh time in seven years, while Jason Brown’s men’s tennis team made it back-to-back years being honored.
The department’s women’s basketball, women’s golf and softball programs have been previous recipients of the Public Recognition Award.
Eighteen programs from the Big Sky Conference were recognized. Northern Colorado and Sacramento State led the way with three each. Montana, Eastern Washington, Idaho and Southern Utah each had two.
Now in their 14th year, NCAA Public Recognition Awards are based on Academic Progress Rate, which is an annual scorecard of academic achievement calculated for all Division I teams.
APR provides feedback of a program’s academic success each semester by tracking the progress of each student-athlete on scholarship. APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation.
The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 academic years.
Montana NCAA Public Recognition Awards
2011-12: Women’s cross country
2012-13: Women’s cross country, women's golf
2013-14: Women’s basketball, women’s cross country, women’s golf
2014-15: Women’s cross country, women’s golf
2015-16: Women’s cross country, softball, women’s tennis
2016-17: Women’s cross country, men’s tennis
2017-18: Women’s cross country, men’s tennis
* NCAA Public Recognition Awards are announced the following spring after the academic year listed.
