Northwestern Completes Record-Setting 2013-14 Academic Year Northwesterns consistent record of achievement in the classroom was reflected in its most recent multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) score of 991 out of a possible 1,000, which ranks as the best in the Big Ten Conference and second in the nation among all 125 FBS programs. APR is a measure based on the eligibility, retention and graduation of each scholarship student-athlete within all Division I sports programs. Similarly, the Wildcats Graduation Success Rate (GSR) stood at 97 percent when announced in October, 2013, the top score in the nation among FBS programs by one percentage point and the best in the Big Ten by seven points. It was the second year in a row that Fitzgeralds Wildcats earned a 97 percent GSR. In June, 21 Wildcats participated in Northwestern Universitys 156th commencement activities after earning their undergraduate degrees, 17 of whom will return for their final year of playing eligibility in 2014. Last fall, seven veteran Northwestern student-athletes spent their final year on campus pursuing a masters degree: PK Jeff Budzien (Master of Sports Administration), DB Davion Fleming (Integrated Marketing and Communications), LS Pat Hickey (MSA), WR Mike Jensen (Master of Project Management in Engineering), RB Mike Trumpy (MSA), LB Timmy Vernon (Master of Liberal Studies) and P Brandon Williams (Engineering Design Innovation). Northwestern also set a program record in 2013 when 36 players earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition -- topping the previous high of 34 set in 2012 -- an honor given to student-athletes of at least sophomore status with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher. The 36 honorees represented the most of any Big Ten football program last fall.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 22:28:33 +0000