NEW YORK – A record 67 BIG EAST athletic teams have been recognized by the NCAA with Public Recognition Awards for outstanding academic achievement. To receive the award, teams must compile scores in the top 10 percent of their sport, based on their most recent Academic Progress Rates (APR). The APR is the NCAA’s annual scorecard of academic achievement calculated for Division I sports.
The BIG EAST total of 67 recognized teams is the highest in the conference’s current 10-school configuration.
Villanova has 17 recognized teams overall, the highest total for a BIG EAST school. The Wildcats’ 17 teams represent 77 percent of their athletic program, which is the highest percentage of any Division I school nationally.