General | 4/13/2016 3:08:00 PM

STATESBORO – The NCAA released its annual recipients of the Public Recognition Awards, which goes to the sports programs with an Academic Progress Rate in the top 10 percent of its respective sport, and both the Georgia Southern rifle program and the volleyball program received the distinction, the first of any sport at GS to ever be honored.

The APR is a scorecard that tracks classroom performance of Division I sports teams, and it takes into account eligibility and retention of student-athletes over a four-year period. It measures eligibility, graduation and retention each semester or quarter and provides a clear picture of the academic performance for each team in each sport. Teams must meet a certain academic threshold to qualify for the postseason, and they also can face penalties for continued low academic performance. The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years.

"This recognition fits right in with the culture of what we're trying to create here at Georgia Southern," said director of athletics Tom Kleinlein. "We're constantly talking about 'Rings, Diplomas & Leaders' and we want our young people to come here, play for championships, get a degree and go on to be leaders in the communities they go on to serve. Dustin Wood and Jim Riggs are doing great jobs with their respective programs off of their courts of play, emphasizing how important education is, and they continue to push their players to be the best that they can be. 

"Those two programs have done a great job, are now being recognized nationally for their APR scores and it's a great honor for our department and our institution," Kleinlein continued. "Being in the top 10 percent nationally is where we want all of our sports to be and hopefully this recognition is the first of many to come."

Multi-year APRs for all Division I sports teams, including the teams receiving public recognition, will be announced April 20.  That announcement also will include APR penalties for low-performing teams, teams subject to postseason ineligibility and head coach APRs.

For the complete NCAA release, click here.