Several HBCU athletic programs face penalties and possible postseason bans after the NCAA released its latest round of Academic Progress Rate figures Wednesday.
Among the notable schools that are ineligible for the postseason during the 2014-15 season include Alabama State and Florida A&M.
FAMU was notified that its football and men’s basketball programs are being penalized for not meeting NCAA minimum standards for APR.
“FAMU is committed to the success of our student-athletes both on and off the playing field,” Mangum said in a statement. “Their academic success is our first priority, and we take the regulations of the NCAA very seriously because they are designed to be applied consistently across all programs, at all member institutions, and represent best practice.”
According to the NCAA, schools must exceed a four-year APR average of 930 or a two-year average of 940 to be eligible for postseason participation.
A total of 12 Alabama State programs scored at or above the national benchmark of 930, the school said. Of ASU’s 18 athletics programs, two did not meet qualifications for postseason eligibility in the upcoming school year.
“As a university, we have provided, and will continue to provide, academic resources to help ensure we are meeting NCAA guidelines,” Alabama State president Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd said. “In order for athletics programs to be successful in competition, a team effort is required. The same is true of winning in the classroom. It takes student-athletes, faculty, coaches, academic advisors and administrators working together to ensure academic success. We remain committed to that effort.”
Many HBCUs that now face some form of sanctions are considered low-resource institutions. The NCAA said it would work with schools to help provide the resources needed to improve academic performance.
“The NCAA continues to work closely with limited-resource schools and Historically Black Colleges and Universities as they continue to improve the academic performance of their student-athletes,” the report says.
HBCU’s average APR now sits at 953, a 23-point uptick over the past three years.
The bulk of the improvement at limited-resource schools comes from a 21-point increase in eligibility over that same time period. A 30-point increase in eligibility over those three years bolstered that rate as well.
- APRs for each team, lists of teams receiving public recognition and those receiving sanctions are available online through the NCAA’s searchable database.
Teams facing Level One APR penalties
Alcorn State University:
Women’s volleyball
Delaware State University
Men’s indoor track and field
Florida A&M University
Football
Howard University
Men’s soccer, women’s lacrosse
Norfolk State University
Baseball, men’s cross country
Savannah State University
Women’s basketball
University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff
Football
Teams facing Level Two APR penalties
Alabama A&M
Men’s golf
Alabama State University
Football, men’s basketball
Florida A&M University
Men’s basketball
Norfolk State University
Men’s indoor track and field, men’s outdoor track and field
Mississippi Valley State University
Baseball, football
Prairie View A&M University
Football
Savannah State University
Football
Teams with postseason ineligibility in 2014-15
Football
Alabama State University
Florida A&M University
Mississippi Valley State University
Prairie View A&M University
Savannah State University
University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff
Men’s basketball
Alabama State University
Florida A&M University
Men’s Golf
Alabama A&M University
Men’s Soccer
Howard University
Men’s Indoor Track
Delaware State University
Norfolk State University
Men’s Outdoor Track
Norfolk State University
Women’s Lacrosse
Howard University
Level One penalties focus on practice restrictions, allowing teams to use that time to focus on academics. Teams facing this penalty lose four hours and one day of practice time per week in season, replaced with academic activities. This year, 42 teams face this level of penalty.
Level Two penalties include the Level One penalty and a reduction of four hours of practice time out of season replaced with academic activities. This level also includes the elimination of the nonchampionship season or spring football. Teams without nonchampionship seasons face a reduced number of contests. This year, 14 teams fall in this category.
Level Three penalties include all Level One and Two penalties, plus a menu of potential additional penalties. These can include financial aid reductions; additional practice and contest restrictions, coach-specific penalties (including game and recruiting restrictions); restricted access to practice for incoming students who fall below certain academic standards; restricted membership; and potential multi-year bans on postseason competition. In 2014-15, one faces this level of penalty.
