Fairfax, Va.— Mason women's rowing was recognized as recipient of the NCAA Public Recognition Award, which is based on their most recent multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR).

The program posted a four-year APR score in the top 10 percent nationally for their respective sport through the 2013-14 academic year. This year's awards are compiled using the academic and retention rates for the 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 academic years.

Mason's teams have received the academic honor each year since the inception of the academic reform program 11 years ago. Women's tennis leads the way with four awards followed by men's basketball, women's swimming and women's volleyball each with three.

Each year, the NCAA honors selected Division I teams by publicly recognizing their latest multiyear NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR).  This announcement is part of the overall Division I academic reform effort and is intended to highlight teams that demonstrate a commitment to academic progress and retention of student-athletes by achieving the top APRs within their respective sports.  Specifically, these teams posted multiyear APRs in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport. 

The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of every student-athlete on scholarship.  The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance. 

The Atlantic 10 ranked fifth in total number of teams honored among all 32 Division I conferences.  Overall, 1,124 teams received the APR award, including 696 women's and 428 men's or mixed squads. Full APR data on all NCAA Division I programs will be released on Wednesday, May 27.