Bryant football boasts top APR in Northeast Conference for second-straight year

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University football team was named a recipient of the Academic Progress Rate (APR) Award, sponsored by Forward Progress and presented by The Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA), it was announced on Thursday.

The APR Award recognizes one institution at each of the 13 FCS conferences that has the highest APR score. In addition, the Association also recognizes one institution from each conference that has improved the most from the previous year. In all, 27 awards will be given this year.

"Our Association is pleased to present these awards to spotlight the mission of all FCS programs, embracing the academic progress of their student-athletes, who will become leaders off the field," said FCS ADA President Jeff Tingey, director of athletics at Idaho State University. "Thanks to Forward Progress, we are pleased to continue to recognize the FCS institutions and their football programs for continuing to reach exemplary APR scores."

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) member colleges and universities adopted a comprehensive academic reform package designed to improve the academic success and graduation of all student-athletes. The centerpiece of the package is the academic measurement for teams, known as the APR.

The Bulldogs earned the award for having the highest APR in the Northeast Conference for the second-straight year. They join UC Davis (Big Sky), Coastal Carolina (Big South), Tennessee Tech (Ohio Valley), Holy Cross (Patriot League), Wofford (Southern Conference) and Dartmouth (Ivy League) as teams that have now won the award in back-to-back years. Saint Francis U. received the Most Improved APR this year for the NEC.