1:36 p.m., May 7, 2008--University of Delaware student-athletes have consistently performed well in the classroom in all 23 varsity sports, according to the NCAA Academic Progress Report (APR) that was released on Tuesday.

The APR, now in its fourth year, measures the eligibility, retention and graduation of student-athletes competing on every sports team at all 329 NCAA Division I institutions. It also serves as a predictor of graduation success. The most recent APR scores are based on a multi-year rate that averages scores from the 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 academic years.

The Division I Board of Directors set cut scores of 925 and 900 (out of 1,000) as a threshold for teams to meet or face possible immediate and historical sanctions. An APR of 925 translates to approximately 60 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and an APR of 900 translates to approximately a 45 percent GSR.

All 23 University of Delaware sports teams recorded a score of at least 934, with the Blue Hen women's soccer, men's tennis, women's tennis and men's cross country teams each scoring a 997 or above to earn special recognition for outstanding performance. Those four teams were among 721 squads nationally that were recognized for ranking among the top 10 percent in their respective sports in April. Fifteen of Delaware's 23 sports placed among the top 50 percent in their respective sports.

Those Blue Hen teams ranking among the top 10-20 percent in their respective sports were men's swimming, men's indoor track and field and men's outdoor track and field.

Those ranking in the top 20-30 percent were baseball, football and volleyball, and those ranking in the top 30-40 percent were women's cross country, field hockey, women's swimming, women's indoor track and field and women's outdoor track and field. Those ranking in the top 40-50 percent were men's basketball, golf, men's lacrosse and softball.

Delaware has had 71 student-athletes earn Colonial Athletic Association Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll notice this season, with the spring and winter awards still to be announced.

Volleyball standout Colleen Walsh, football All-American lineman Mike Byrne and swimmer Adam Blomberg were CAA Scholar-Athletes of the Year in their respective sports, while Walsh and Mike Byrne were named to the ESPN The Magazine College Sports Information Directors of America District 2 All-Academic team.

For more information on UD athletics, see [www.udel.edu/sportsinfo].