East Michigan News

The Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Department of Athletics has shown strong academic performance in the NCAA's Academic Progress Rate (APR) report released on June 4. The APR is a four-year composite covering the school years from 2019-20 to 2022-23, evaluating scholarship student-athletes' academic eligibility, retention, and graduation.

The report highlights that EMU's men's cross country, men's golf, and women's tennis teams achieved perfect multi-year rates of 1,000. Additionally, seven teams scored perfect single-year scores of 1,000 for the 2022-23 academic year.

"We prepare our student-athletes to achieve academic and athletic excellence," stated Scott Wetherbee, EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics. He emphasized the pride in student-athletes meeting high standards academically and athletically while engaging with the community.

Nationally, the four-year APR average for Division I teams held steady at 984. Over two decades of data collection, there has been a notable rise in student-athlete academic success. The overall national four-year average increased by one point compared to pre-pandemic years.

This marks the third consecutive year of publicly reported APRs following a COVID-19-related hiatus. Despite releasing scores, penalties for programs scoring below 930 remain suspended due to ongoing pandemic impacts.

Eleven EMU sports posted multi-year scores equal to or better than last year's report. Notable improvements include men's basketball rising from 928 to 952 and men's cross country achieving a perfect score of 1000. Men's track & field also improved its score by five points to reach 958.

Six EMU teams ranked in the top half of the Mid-American Conference based on their APR scores.

Dave Schnase, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs, acknowledged the significant classroom achievements over two decades. He credited policy changes and on-campus support as contributing factors to these high rates.