April 22, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky men’s basketball team has received a public recognition award for its Academic Progress Rate score, the NCAA announced Wednesday.

UK receives the award for placing in the top 10 percent of the nation’s Division I men’s basketball APR scores. The APR marks are a four-year composite, covering the 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years, that measures academic eligibility and retention of student-athletes.

“I can’t say enough good things about our men’s basketball team,” said UK President Lee T. Todd, Jr. “Not only do our student-athletes continue to represent this University and this Commonwealth with class and dignity when competing on the court, they compete just as hard in the classroom. I applaud the efforts of all the players over the past four years who have helped us become the only SEC men’s basketball team to receive a public recognition award for our APR score. This award is a perfect example of how UK Athletics is working hard to develop well-rounded student-athletes in every sport.”

“Our coaches, staff and student-athletes work very hard throughout the year to manage the important areas that determine their annual APR score,” said UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart. “Having one of our teams recognized nationally is a tribute to the commitment our entire department has made to the academic success of our student-athletes.”

UK was the only men’s basketball team in the Southeastern Conference to receive a public recognition award. UK’s APR score, along with the scores of every Division I team in all sports, will be released by the NCAA on May 6. Teams are subject to penalties, such as scholarship reductions or postseason restrictions, if the APR target score is not achieved.