University of South Florida (USF) Athletics announced on May 20 that seven of its NCAA-rated programs achieved perfect multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores, with 11 out of 17 programs posting multi-year marks above 990 in the latest data released by the National Collegiate Athletic Association through the 2024-25 academic year.
The APR is a metric used to track student-athlete retention and eligibility, offering a real-time look at each team’s academic success. This achievement highlights ongoing efforts within USF Athletics to prioritize both athletic and academic performance among its nearly 500 student-athletes. The university’s commitment to these dual goals has led to consistent recognition, including a program record of 21 consecutive semesters with a combined grade point average of at least 3.0 as of spring 2025.
Rob Higgins, CEO of USF Athletics, said, “USF student-athletes continue to make us proud with their accomplishments in the classroom as they pursue their academic goals and future aspirations. The student-athlete experience at USF is second to none, and I am very proud of the leaders and staff of our academic services and our coaches who support our student-athletes and prioritize our academic mission.”
Men’s golf, men’s cross country, men’s tennis, women’s basketball, women’s golf, women’s tennis and lacrosse all posted perfect multi-year APR scores. Women’s golf extended its streak with a twelfth consecutive perfect score; women’s tennis earned its fifth straight; while men’s tennis achieved its eighth overall perfect mark. Additionally, several teams—including men’s basketball—earned perfect single-year APR scores for the period covering the most recent academic year.
The softball program maintained a high standard with a multi-year score of 992 under head coach Ken Eriksen. Since the introduction of APR reporting in the mid-2000s, this team has consistently scored above or at this level every year.
The latest report covers four years’ worth of data from the start of the 2021-22 through to the end of the current reporting period. Each student-athlete earns points for staying enrolled and maintaining eligibility; team totals are then calculated into an APR score out of a possible maximum value.
In addition to these achievements on paper, University of South Florida Athletics has produced Olympians representing multiple countries and captured numerous conference championships across sports such as tennis and soccer according to the official website. The athletics district features updated venues for various sports while promoting community involvement alongside values like inclusion and equity according to the official website.
Looking ahead, USF officials say they will continue supporting their athletes academically while striving for further competitive success.
