Penn State, Duquesne, WVU and Pitt teams recognized for academic progress

Jerry DiPaola
Tuesday, May 12, 2020 7:48 p.m. | Tuesday, May 12, 2020 7:48 p.m.

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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Pitt football was one of the teams recognized by the NCAA on Tuesday for its academic progress. Center Jimmy Morrissey (67) is a three-time All-ACC Academic honoree.

A total of 16 collegiate athletic teams from four local universities earned NCAA Public Recognition Awards for their Academic Progress Rates (APR).

The awards are presented annually by the NCAA to teams finishing among the top 10 percent in their sport over four academic years (2015/16-2018/19). APR is determined by a team’s academic success each semester or quarter based on eligibility, retention and graduation.

Teams honored include six from Penn State (women’s track and field, cross country, fencing and golf and men’s golf and hockey), five from Duquesne (women’s cross country, lacrosse, swimming and diving, tennis and volleyball), three from West Virginia (men’s basketball, rifle and golf) and two from Pitt (football and men’s cross country).

Penn State’s cross country team earned its ninth APR distinction. West Virginia men’s basketball has been honored in five consecutive years while rifle earned its fourth in a row and golf its third in a row.

A Pitt cross country team — either men or women — has been honored for its APR in each of the past four years.