Academic Support for Athletics

Villanova Athletics Programs Among Nation's Best in Graduation Success Rate

Nov. 30, 2016

VILLANOVA, Pa. - A new set of data on the Graduation Success Rates (GSR) of Division I athletics programs was released earlier this month and Villanova continues to rank among the best in the nation in this measure of academic performance. Even as Graduation Success Rates nationwide make a steady increase, the Wildcats consistently remain ahead of the curve when compared to the national averages.

In the most recent data released, Villanova had 14 of its athletic programs post a perfect 100 percent GSR for the 2006-2009 cohort. This data measures the percentage of student-athletes who entered college on institutional aid (whether athletics-based aid or otherwise) between those years and graduated within six years. Villanova had eight women’s programs and six men’s programs earn a 100 percent GSR in the release. The NCAA GSR differs from the federal graduation rate calculation in two important ways. First, the GSR holds colleges accountable for those student-athletes who transfer into their school. Second, the GSR does not penalize colleges whose student-athletes transfer in good academic standing.

The across-the-board success of Wildcats student-athletes stands out even more under closer examination of the GSR data. Villanova performed particularly well in the high-profile sports of men’s and women’s basketball and football, with both of the Wildcats basketball teams earning a perfect 100 percent GSR score. Villanova was one of just three BIG EAST programs whose men’s basketball team achieved a perfect 100 percent score. The Wildcats women’s basketball team was one of four conference programs with a 100 percent score, but was the only one team within that group to have a matching 100 percent score under the federal graduation-rate calculation. Villanova posted an 82 percent GSR in football, which far surpasses the 73 percent average for FCS football programs. The Wildcats were one of four CAA Football schools to have a GSR of 80 percent or higher in the latest data.

Beyond these high-profile sports, Villanova teams are also making the grade. The overall number of Wildcats teams achieving a perfect 100 percent score (14) is tied for the most among BIG EAST schools. The nationwide NCAA GSR scores, as well as the previous release of Academic Progress Rate (APR) information in the spring, showed the highest rates ever of academic success. As academic performance improves, Villanova has remained among the top performing athletic programs even during a period of unprecedented success in competition. During the past three academic years (2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16), the Wildcats won a combined 18 BIG EAST titles, earned a total of 61 All-America honors and had a total of 569 all-conference performers.

Earlier this fall, Villanova was named the winner of the BIG EAST Presidents’ Award for the second time in the two years that the award has been presented. The honor recognizes a member institution that has excelled in the areas of academics, athletics and citizenship. Villanova was honored for its accomplishments during the 2015-16 academic year. The Wildcats finished 2015-16 ranked 74th overall in the NACDA Directors’ Cup, which measures a program’s across-the-board athletic success.

Villanova Programs Earning a 100 Percent Graduation Success Rate (2006-2009 Cohorts)
Men’s Basketball
Women’s Basketball
Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field
Field Hockey
Golf
Men’s Lacrosse
Men’s Soccer
Softball
Men’s Swimming & Diving
Women’s Swimming & Diving
Men’s Tennis
Women’s Tennis
Volleyball
Water Polo

http://www.villanova.com/genrel/113016aaa.html  

TERRE HAUTE, Ind.— Villanova sophomore Bella Burda (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.) was announced as the winner of one of the top NCAA academic honors on Saturday afternoon at the awards ceremony following the NCAA Championships. Burda was presented with the Elite 90 Award, which recognizes the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average who competes at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s championships.

Burda, a Biology major, has excelled in both her academic studies and in athletic competition in her two years wearing the Wildcats uniform. She has a perfect 4.0 GPA, and as a freshman last season was named to the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team in both cross country and track & field. Burda was also named to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team last season.

Villanova earned a team berth in the NCAA Championships this season for the eighth time in the last nine years. Burda was a key contributor to the team throughout the season, earning Mid-Atlantic All-Region honors as well as All-BIG EAST accolades for the second straight year. In Saturday’s national championship race, Burda registered a time of 20:58.6 over 6,000 meters and was the Wildcats third scoring runner. Villanova finished 21st in the team standings in Saturday’s race, moving up nine spots from last season.

The Elite 90, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite 90 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s championships.

Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school. They must be an active member of the team, traveling and a designated member of the squad size at the championship. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.

Burda is the second Villanovan to win the Elite 90 honor. She joins former Wildcats football player Will Thompson, who was recognized during the inaugural year of the award when Villanova won the FCS national championship in 2009.

For more information on the Elite 90 award winners, log on to NCAA.com/elite-90.
http://www.villanova.com/sports/w-xc/spec-rel/111916aaa.html