HAMPTON, VA (June 16, 2022) – The NCAA released the Academic Progress Rate report for the 2020-21 academic year. The Hampton University Football program received the highest score among all HBCU football programs and Big South Football Programs.
Hampton Football’s score of 966 is the highest score the football program has received since the NCAA started the APR reports in 2003.
“This is the kind of news that every football coach wants to receive heading into Summer workouts,” said head coach Robert Prunty. “Academic excellence is the championship mindset we push our players to strive for in the classroom, and it’s the expectation of excellence Dr.Harvey has instilled into our campus culture.”
“I strongly believe that one of the chief roles of any college or university is the promotion of learning,” said Dr. William R. Harvey, Hampton University President. “At Hampton University, we strive for excellence in everything that we do. Football having the highest APR score for in our athletic conference and of all HBCU programs is an example of achieving this goal. “
The NCAA implemented the APR report in 2003 as part of a collaborative effort to encourage expectations of academic excellence and hold NCAA institutions and athletic departments accountable for the academic progress of their student-athletes.
The APR is calculated as follows:
- Each student-athlete receiving athletically related financial aid earns one point for staying in school and one point for being academically eligible.
- A team’s total points are divided by points possible and then multiplied by 1,000 to equal the team’s Academic Progress Rate.
- In addition to a team’s current-year APR, its rolling four-year APR is also used to determine accountability.
Teams must earn a four-year average APR of 930 to compete in championships.
“I’m proud of my guys,” said Prunty. “Football teams are comprised of about a hundred young men that my staff and I are constantly on cases about staying on top of their performance in the classroom.”
Today’s news was surely a sign for Prunty and his Pirates football coaching staff that they’re headed in the right direction and cultivating a culture that positions Hampton student-athletes for success after football.
Women’s Basketball, Men’s Cross Country, Men’s Tennis, Women’s Soccer, and Softball lead the charge in team APR scores for Hampton University Athletics based on the NCAA Academic Progress Rate report for the 2020-21 academic year.
Hampton University Women’s Basketball team earned the highest score for the Pirates with an APR of 991.
“We lost three players this year, and then it’s been an adjustment simply returning from COVID-19 for most athletic programs, “said women’s basketball head coach David Six. “I’m proud of my student-athletes’ hard work and dedication. They come to Hampton for two things basketball and a degree; I want every young lady I recruit to come here to leave with both. Assistant Coach Lauren Johnson has been a huge asset to my coaching staff and the driving force behind our academic success.”
Both Men’s Cross Country and Men’s Tennis followed up with APR scores of 989. Women’s Soccer received a 983 and Softball received a 972.
For more information about Hampton University athletics, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com