April 22, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. - - Four Belmont University athletic teams were honored by the NCAA Wednesday in its annual Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR) Public Recognition Awards.

Belmont men's basketball, men's soccer, baseball and women's golf each ranked in the top 10 percent within their respective sports nationwide among NCAA Division-I programs for their academic progress rate as determined by the NCAA. The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete. The APR includes eligibility, retention and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.

For men's basketball, in particular, this furthers its tradition of success on the court and in the classroom. For perspective, Belmont is one of only two institutions in Division-I men's basketball to make the APR top 10 percent list while winning 20 or more games and earning postseason play each of the last four years. Reigning National Champion North Carolina is the other school.

For the 2008-09 season, 31 institutions boasted APRs in the top 10 percent, of which only 10 made postseason play. There are 344 institutions playing NCAA Division-I men's basketball.

Moreover, with senior Andy Wicke being named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America University Division Third Team, Belmont men's basketball leads the nation in Academic All-Americans since 2001 with eight.

Five of the last seven Atlantic Sun Conference Male Student-Athletes of the Year have been Belmont Basketball players.

"The far-reaching academic success of our Belmont athletic program is one of our greatest sources of pride," Belmont University Director of Athletics Mike Strickland said. "This success speaks volumes to the dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, and academic support staff."

The Bruin men's soccer program has long been a national model of academic success. One of just 11 programs in the country to receive APR honor roll status each of the past four years, the team has had a staggering 59 Atlantic Sun All-Academic honorees over the past four years. In addition, student-athletes Chris Anderson, Cyrus Eaton, Brett Parker, and Channing Twyner have earned Academic All-District awards. One of the Bruins' most accomplished players - two-time Atlantic Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Year and 2008 graduate Jay Ayres - was named finalist for a coveted NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship before moving on to a career in Major League Soccer.

Belmont Baseball, which was also on the 2006 APR Public Recognition List, has had 70 Atlantic Sun All-Academic honorees over the past four years. Former Bruins Josh Brumett and Dan Soukuap earned Academic All-America status, while Carlo Testa is prospering in the Kansas City Royals' organization.

Women's golf has also embodied Belmont Athletics' mission of academic and athletic excellence. Since 2005, an astounding 82 percent of women's golf team members have earned Atlantic Sun All-Academic honors. Lauren Oeser and Laura Dyson were each named to the National Golf Coaches Association All-America Scholar Team, and four-time Academic All-Conference selection Lorie Warren emerged as one of the top collegiate golfers in the southeast.

In the fall semester of 2008, the athletics department posted a 3.18 GPA, marking the 22th consecutive semester that the departmental GPA has exceeded a 3.00.

"Belmont student-athletes raise the standard on academic achievement year after year," Belmont University President Bob Fisher said. "Following the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, a reporter wrote that `Belmont is the Princeton of Tennessee.' This further cements that declaration. Our teams stand alongside ones from the most revered academic institutions in America. The credit goes to our student-athletes, coaches, and athletics' staff."

In its seven years in the Atlantic Sun Conference, Belmont has claimed the Atlantic Sun Conference Academic Trophy an unprecedented six times. The Academic Trophy is given annually to the conference school with the greatest percentage of student-athletes receiving All-Academic honors. In 2007-08, nearly 71 percent of Belmont student-athletes achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in their semester of competition.

Complete Academic Progress Rate report information can be accessed at www.ncaa.org.

Belmont University

Belmont University, host of the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate, is a fast-growing community of 5,000 students who come from every state and 29 countries. Committed to being a leader among teaching universities, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The university's purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world's needs. With more than 75 areas of study, 12 master's programs and three doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon.