FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Seven Fairfield University varsity athletic teams scored in the top 10 percent of the NCAA's annual Academic Progress Rate scores, and received a public recognition award from the organization for their academic achievement. The baseball, men's cross country, men's tennis, women's basketball, women's golf, women's rowing, and softball teams were honored for their performance in the classroom.

"I am very pleased with the recognition our student-athletes have earned through their hard work and dedication in the classroom," Director of Athletics Gene Doris said. "I give credit to our coaching staff for recruiting student athletes who are committed to Fairfield University and to their academics. I am also appreciative of our faculty and staff that have guided our student-athletes to this academic success."

The NCAA is honoring NCAA Division I teams that posted multiyear Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports. The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete. The APR includes eligibility, retention, and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport. High-performing teams receiving awards posted APR scores ranging from 965 to a perfect 1,000.

The multiyear APR scores for all 6,110 Division I sports teams, including the teams receiving public recognition awards, will be announced on Tuesday, May 6.