Friday, December 4, 2020

INDIANAPOLIS – Seattle Pacific University and Western Washington University have been recognized among the top NCAA Division II institutions in terms of Academic Success Rate.

The two schools are among 42 Division II institutions to receive the NCAA Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence. The award is presented annually to member schools achieving an Academic Success Rate of 90 percent or higher.

Seattle Pacific earned the award for the 10th consecutive year. The Falcons was one of six institutions with a four-year ASR of 94 percent, ranking ninth among all Division II institutions.

Seattle Pacific is one of 10 institutions to receive the Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence in all 10 years of the program.

“Congratulations again to our fantastic student-athletes on this accomplishment," said Seattle Pacific athletic director Jackson Stava. "To constantly maintain the standard of excellence in the classroom that is needed to achieve this award each year is a reflection of the character, persistence, and drive the young women and men in our program.  I am so proud to yet again receive this award as a department.”

Western Washington was among nine institutions to achieve a four-year ASR of 90 percent. It marks the third time in four years that the Vikings have earned the award after falling one point short of receiving the honor in 2019.

“It is a true honor to see Western Washington University on this list of schools to earn the NCAA Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence,” said Western Washington athletic director Steve Card. “This is a prestigious award that embodies that our student-athletes, coaches and staff strive for by achieving envious graduation rates. To earn this honor three of the last four years stresses how hard our student-athletes work in the classroom, while also maintaining excellence across the board in competition.”

The Academic Success Rate is the percentage of student-athletes who graduate within six years of initial collegiate enrollment and includes virtually all Division II student-athletes. The 42 institutions recognized with the Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence is a record.

“The Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence recognizes Division II member schools for their commitment to a balanced college experience that supports the academic success of college athletes,” said Sandra Jordan, chancellor of the University of South Carolina Aiken and chair of the Division II Presidents' Council. “Ten more institutions earned this award than last year, setting an all-time high for this program, but most importantly, this means college athletes at these schools are achieving academic success that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”

In data released last month by the NCAA, the GNAC realized a record Academic Success Rate of 79 percent, tying for seventh among all Division II conferences. It was a record rate for the conference and was well ahead of the 74 percent ASR for all Division II student-athletes.