Auburn Receives AFCA Academic Achievement Award - AuburnTigers.com

Auburn Receives AFCA Academic Achievement Award Auburn is one of 29 schools to graduate at least 70 percent of its student-athletes.

May 23, 2006

AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn football program was among 29 Division I-A programs to receive a 2006 Academic Achievement Award Tuesday by the American Football Coaches Association. Auburn, which received honorable mention recognition for graduating 70 percent or more of its student-athletes, was the only school from the Southeastern Conference to be honored by the AFCA.

Southern Methodist, which graduated 100 percent of its student-athletes, was the AFCA's top honoree. The other 27 schools that were recognized include: Baylor, Boston College, California, Cincinnati, Clemson, Colorado State, Duke, Florida State, Iowa, Iowa State, Maryland, Miami (Ohio), Nebraska, North Carolina, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Penn State, Rice, Rutgers, Southern Miss, Syracuse, Texas Tech, Troy, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and West Virginia.

The overall graduation rate of the 104 schools that responded to the survey was 58 percent, equaling last year's mark. Fifty of the members responding were above the average and 54 were below the average. The median graduation rate was 57 percent, compared to 57 percent last year and 60 percent two years ago. The 104 respondents to this year's survey is a record high. One hundred and three schools replied in 2005.

The study involves the freshman class from the academic year of 2000-2001, including those who entered at that time but who did not receive financial aid until after their initial year, or who transferred from another institution and subsequently received a grant-in-aid.

In March, the Auburn football team was recognized by the NCAA four being one of just four BCS programs (joining Boston College, Duke and Stanford) to rank in the top 10 percentile in the 2004-05 Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR) report.