INDIANAPOLIS -- Three UIC programs were honored with NCAA Public Recognition Awards, the organization announced on Wednesday, May 1. The women's cross country, women's track and field and women's tennis teams acheived an Academic Progress Rate (APR) in the top 10 percent for their respective sports.

Cross country has earned the distinction for the second year in a row and the fourth time overall since 2011-12. Women's track and field was recognized for the second consecutive year, as well. Since 2015, track and field has been combined into indoor and outdoor seasons and prior to 2015, the Flames were honored for both sports separately in 2004-05 and 2013-14. Women's tennis received its first NCAA Public Recognition Award this year.

"We're filled with great pride for all of the dedication put forth by our student-athletes, coaches, and support staff that is required to receive an honor like this," said UIC Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Garrett Klassy. "It is our goal to every single one of our programs in the mix for these types of recognitions every single year. Two of the teams recognized today have sustained this achievement for the second year in a row, while the third has vaulted to this level for the very first time. It is a tremendous honor for our entire University and one that we will celebrate every chance we have."

Largely as a result of an increase in perfect scores, teams earning Public Recognition Awards increased to 1,328, up by 44 from the previous academic year. APRs for programs in the top 10% ranged from 987 to a perfect 1,000, and the number of teams posting perfect scores increased to 1,214, marking an increase of 26 teams from last year. Of the teams recognized, 471 competed in men's or mixed sports, and 857 competed in women's sports.

"Congratulations to the programs earning Public Recognition Awards for their commitment to academic success," NCAA President Mark Emmert said. "The number of perfect scores this year is an indication that schools and student-athletes are setting high bars for achievement, and we are proud that they are continuing to succeed academically as well as athletically."

Each year, the NCAA honors selected NCAA Division I sports teams by publicly recognizing their latest multiyear NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate.  This announcement is part of the overall Division I academic reform effort and is intended to highlight teams that demonstrate a commitment to academic progress and retention of student-athletes by achieving the top APRs within their respective sports.  Specifically, these teams posted multiyear APRs in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport.  This year's release will again include recognition in the sport of football by subdivision (i.e., Football Bowl Subdivision and NCAA Football Championship Subdivision).
 
The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship.  The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.