WORCESTER, Mass. – Last week the NCAA announced that Assumption was one of 27 Division II schools nationwide to earn the Presidents' Award for Academic Excellence, for achieving an Academic Success Rate of 90 percent or higher.
Assumption was one of four NE10 schools to earn the recognition, which was tied for the highest total for any Division II conference in the country. It marks the 10th straight year Assumption has finished with an ASR of at least 91 percent, and in the top 25 nationally among Division II institutions. Bentley led the nation at 99 percent, followed by Saint Michael's (97%) and Stonehill (96%).
"As one of only 27 institutions of higher learning nation-wide to be recognized with the Presidents' Award, we are proud of our student–athletes' dedication to academics and the pursuit of knowledge," said College President Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D. "Throughout the year, our student-athletes work diligently in the classroom, in their communities, and in their respective sport to honorably represent the College in the Northeast-10 Conference and beyond."
Assumption had nine different sports post a perfect ASR of 100 percent. On the men's side, those sports were golf, soccer and tennis. Baseball, basketball, cross country, ice hockey and men's lacrosse all were at 90 percent or better, significantly higher than the national average. On the women's side, basketball, rowing, lacrosse, soccer and volleyball were all at 100 percent, while swimming and field hockey were both above 95 percent. In total 17 of 19 possible sports achieved at least a 90 percent ASR.
"I am very proud of the continued academic excellence displayed by our student-athletes," said Director of Athletics Jamie Marcoux. "Earning the Presidents' Award for Academic Excellence shows the continued commitment of our student athletes to their academic endeavors. We as a department, are dedicated stewards to the development of our student-athlete's athletic and academic excellence."
The Academic Success Rate is the percentage of student-athletes who graduate within six years of initial college enrollment and includes virtually all Division II student-athletes, including transfers and those not receiving athletic scholarships. The most recent ASR consists of data from student-athletes who enrolled in school from 2008-11.
Division II student-athletes continue to graduate at a higher rate than the general student body. The federal rate for the 2011 entering class of student-athletes increased one point to 57 percent, compared to 50 percent for the general student body.