NCAA recognizes women's golf

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the second consecutive year the University of Arkansas women’s golf team was recognized for its academic success by the NCAA it was announced Wednesday. The Razorbacks earned the Public Recognition Award from the NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program for the teams’ multiyear success. Arkansas scored a perfect 1000 and has not lost a point in five consecutive recording segments. "Myfirst goal as a coach is to give our players everything they need to be successful in the classroom first and second everything they need on the golf course,” said Shauna Estes-Taylor. “Good grades, a good work ethic and obtaining a degree are the most important parts of my being on my team. A players’ success in school is a window in their athletic potential and success on the athletic field. Even in recruiting, I look for good grades first and then their golf ability. That’s why we call young men and women who are looking to play a sport a student-athlete. Student-first, athlete-second.” The NCAA monitors teams Academic Progress Rate or APR scores. The Razorbacks were in the top 10 percent for women’s golf this year. A team’s APR includes eligibility, retention and graduation with teams aspiring to score between 965 to a perfect 1,000 for selection. The NCAA will announced multi-year APR scores for all Division I sports teams May 6. The APR was designed to provide a “real-time” look at a team’s academic success. It accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation for a measured time span. This year, the NCAA honored 767 Division I sports teams with public recognition awards. There were 448 women’s and 319 men’s or mixed squads honored and a total of 205 Division I institutions had at least one team recognized. Yale University has the most teams recognized for the third consecutive year with 28. The Ivy Group, Patriot League and Big East Conferences were the league leaders with the most team’s honored. Arkansas was selected as one of only three Southeastern Conference women’s golf teams who were honored. The Razorbacks joined LSU and Ole Miss on the list. For more information regarding Razorback women’s golf or University of Arkansas athletics please visit www.ArkansasRazorbacks.com.