INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – In the midst of a continuously evolving college athletics landscape, Division I student-athletes across the country are persistent in their efforts to achieve academic success and earn degrees. This is especially true at UMass Lowell, where nine programs met or exceeded the national four-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) average of 984, as announced by the NCAA this week. This list includes the River Hawk baseball, hockey, men's lacrosse, women's basketball, field hockey, women's lacrosse, softball, women's track & field and women's cross country teams.
 
"Our River Hawk student-athletes, coaches and academic advisors continue to place an emphasis on keeping the 'student' in student-athlete," said Director of Athletics Peter Casey. "Because of this commitment during their years on campus, our River Hawks are ready to succeed in whatever they choose to pursue when their athletic careers are finished. I truly commend our student-athletes for their dedication to their studies, and thank our academic advisors and coaching staffs for supporting the complete student-athlete."
 
Each academic year, every Division I sports team across the country calculates its APR using a simple and consistent formula. Each term, scholarship student-athletes can earn one point for remaining eligible, and one point for staying in school or graduating. For schools that do not offer scholarships, recruited student-athletes are tracked.
 
Of special note, two UMass Lowell athletic programs, ice hockey and women's cross country, were recognized by the NCAA APR report for each having earned a perfect four-year average (2018-2022) of 1,000.
 
Additionally, baseball, field hockey, women's lacrosse and women's track & field each also hit a perfect 1,000 for the one-year score for the 2021-22 academic year.
 
The minimum APR academic standard for every Division I athletic program is 930, a standard that all UMass Lowell teams exceeded. The Academic Performance Program has established an essential framework for academic excellence. The program provides measurable goals to ensure schools are fulfilling their commitment of equipping student-athletes with the tools and resources necessary to achieve academic success.