University of Maine Athletics

ORONO, Maine -- The NCAA has honored more than 1,100 Division I sports teams for top scores in the classroom. The University of Maine women's cross courtry team was among the 1,124 teams honored. Based on their most recent multi-year Academic Progress Rate, these teams have earned NCAA Public Recognition Awards for posting scores in the top 10 percent of their sport.

The is the 10th year in a row that the Maine women's cross country team received the recognition. The women's cross country team is one of just 129 nationally to receive recognition every year that the award has been presented. 

APRs for all Division I teams will be released May 27. The APR is an annual scorecard of academic achievement calculated for all Division I sports teams nationally. Teams must meet a certain academic threshold to qualify for the postseason and can face penalties for continued low academic performance.

The 1,124 teams publicly recognized for high achievement represent 696 women's teams and 428 men's or mixed squads, the highest ever in the decade since the NCAA began the Public Recognition Awards program. In 2014, 1,049 teams were recognized, marking an increase this year of 75 teams.

The scores required to be in the top ten ranged from 980 to a perfect 1,000, depending on the sport. This year, a record 953* teams earned public recognition with a perfect APR score.

"We congratulate each of the teams and individual student-athletes for their dedication to academic success," said NCAA President Mark Emmert. "This achievement demonstrates their hard work and the commitment of NCAA member schools to provide students with an opportunity to succeed academically and athletically."

"Academic achievement is a core pillar of our conference," said America East Commissioner Amy Huchthausen. "This recognition exemplifies our mission to empower our student-athletes to be successful in all realms of college life, especially in the classroom."

A total of 289 schools placed at least one team on the top APR list, up 15 from 2014. 

The APR measures eligibility, graduation and retention each semester or quarter and provides a clear picture of the academic performance for each team in each sport. The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13, 2013-14 academic years. 

The University of Maine is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2015. In conjunction with this, the athletic department will celebrate 150 student-athletes achievements over the next year.