Two of Mason's teams, women's swimming and women's volleyball, were recognized as recipients of the NCAA Public Recognition Award, which is based on their most recent multi-year Academic Progress Rate.

The awards are given each year to teams with APRs in the top 10 percent of each sport. This year's awards are compiled using the academic and retention rates for the 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years.

Nineteen CAA teams were recognized as well. Northeastern had a league-high three teams honored with Public Recognition Awards as its field hockey, men's cross country and men's soccer squads were among the top 10 percent in the APR.

Delaware (men's tennis and women's tennis), Drexel (women's basketball and women's tennis), Towson (women's cross country and women's soccer) and William & Mary (field hockey and women's golf) each earned two Public Recognition Awards.

Also receiving awards were full-time members UNCW (women's golf) and Old Dominion (women's golf), as well as associate members Boston University (wrestling), Dayton (women's golf), Richmond (women's golf) and Xavier (women's golf).
Full APRs for all teams, including access to postseason play and penalties for low-performing teams, will be released June 20.

A total of 263 schools, out of 347 Division I colleges and universities, placed at least one team on the top APR list. Additionally, 8 schools that offer athletics in more than one division, out of 49 overall within the NCAA, placed Division I teams on the list.

Each year, the NCAA tracks the classroom performance of student-athletes on every Division I team through the annual scorecard of academic achievement, known as APR. The score measures eligibility and retention each semester or quarter and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport. The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 academic years.