April 23, 2009

Contact: Greg Murphy

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State cross country and women's fencing teams were honored with a public recognition award from the NCAA for its multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) score Thursday (April 23).

The awards are given each year to teams scoring in the top-10 percent nationally in each sport with their APRs.

"This is a wonderful honor for our cross country and fencing programs," Director of Athletics Lee Reed said. "For these programs to be in such elite company is another indication of the drive and determination of our student-athletes.

CSU was one of 33 Division I cross country teams, and the only Horizon League squad to be honored. The women's fencing team was one of only six teams to honored in that sport.

The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester or quarter by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete.

It includes eligibility, retention and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.