University of Tennessee Athletics
UT Announces 2013-14 APRs
May 27, 2015 | General
"Our student-athletes at the University of Tennessee continue to perform at a high level in the classroom," said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Dave Hart. "The exceptional performance academically combined with our tremendous outreach in community service show the tangible progress of our student-athletes, relevant to our most important priorities."
Twelve teams posted a perfect 1000 for the 2013-14 single-year rate (women's basketball, men's cross country, women's cross country, men's golf, women's golf, women's swimming, women's tennis, men's indoor track & field, women's indoor track & field, men's outdoor track & field, women's track & field and volleyball).
Two teams, women's cross country and women's tennis posted a perfect 1000 for the multiyear rate.
"I am extremely proud of the academic achievements of our student-athletes," said Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek. "This is what being a Vol is all about."
Tennessee finished in the Top 5 in eight sports among Southeastern Conference schools (men's indoor track & field, men's outdoor track, women's cross country, rowing, softball, women's tennis, women's indoor track, women's outdoor track). The women's cross county and women's tennis programs tied for the top APR in the SEC in their respective sports. Tennessee rowing finished second among the schools competing in rowing in the Big 12, the team's conference for the sport.
The Tennessee football team increased its single-year APR score to 972 in 2013-14, the highest APR mark in the history of the program and a significant improvement from the 909 posted in 2011-12. This increased the multiyear APR for football from 932 to 945.
"Academics are at the forefont of our football program," said head coach Butch Jones. "We want students who are committed to being champions on and off the field. The significant improvements in the APR are evidence of what we have been talking about. Dr. Joe Scogin and the entire Thornton Center staff have done a great job of mentoring, guiding and holding our players and coaching staff to a high level of accountability and responsibility."
Of the 15 sports which equalled or improved their rates, nine increased their rates: men's indoor track & field (+23), men's outdoor track & field (+23), baseball (+18), men's cross country (+18), men's golf (+14), football (+13), soccer (+3), men's swimming (+5), men's basketball (+1).
The six which tied their rate for 2012-13 were: women's cross country, women's swimming, women's tennis, women's indoor track & field, women's outdoor track & field and volleyball.
Tennessee's 2013-14 and multi-year APR scores are listed below:
| SPORTS | Multi-Year | 2013-14 |
| Baseball | 954 | 970 |
| Basketball (M) | 965 | 960 |
| Basketball (W) | 978 | 1000 |
| Cross Country (M) | 967 | 1000 |
| Cross Country (W) | 1000 | 1000 |
| Football | 945 | 972 |
| Golf (M) | 986 | 1000 |
| Golf (W) | 990 | 1000 |
| Rowing | 998 | 992 |
| Softball | 992 | 982 |
| Soccer | 975 | 981 |
| Swimming & Diving (M) | 971 | 980 |
| Swimming & Diving (W) | 986 | 1000 |
| Tennis (M) | 972 | 969 |
| Tennis (W) | 1000 | 1000 |
| Track, Indoor (M) | 983 | 1000 |
| Track, Indoor (W) | 995 | 1000 |
| Track, Outdoor (M) | 983 | 1000 |
| Track, Outdoor (W) | 995 | 1000 |
| Volleyball | 988 | 1000 |
The Thornton Athletics Student Life Center, led by Dr. Joe Scogin, was created to provide student-athletes with academic support programs and assist with both personal and career development. A comprehensive evaluation of Thornton Center operations upon Dr. Scogin's arrival has provided for greater effectiveness and a stronger impact on the academic success of all student-athletes. Additionally, a new comprehensive departmental class attendance policy created and implemented in the Fall 2012 semester was in its second year in effect. The academic progress towards degree requirements require a student-athlete to complete various percentages toward degree completion, specific grade-point averages, and other requirements to remain eligible to compete. Assisting student-athletes in meeting these requirements is a critical function of the Thornton Center, as is calculating and forecasting APR scores. The University also encourages former student-athletes who left in good standing to return to school to achieve their degree. The SouthEast Bank Renewing Academic Commitment (RAC) Program works with former student-athletes by assisting them with advice on degree requirements remaining, course scheduling, tutoring, employment and internship opportunities offered through the Career Development and Life Skills department, and use of the Thornton Center for their everyday needs.
