Drexel University Athletics

Philadelphia — The NCAA has announced that the Drexel University men’s and women’s basketball teams have received the NCAA’s Academic Performance Program public recognition award. The award is given to teams that posted multiyear APRs in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports. It is the third straight season the men’s team has been honored and the first time for the women’s team.

Drexel is one of just 36 Division I men’s basketball teams and one out of 41 women’s basketball teams to earn the award. Drexel is the only school in the Colonial Athletic Association to earn the award for both its men’s and women’s teams.

“We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of both of our basketball teams in both the classroom and on the court,” Drexel Athletics Director Dr. Eric Zillmer said. “It is rare that a university can have both teams earn this award, have both of its coaches win Coach of the Year in their league and have one of its basketball teams advance to the NCAA Tournament.” Drexel Head Coaches Denise Dillon and Bruiser Flint were each named CAA Coach of the Year at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season. Dillon led the women’s team to the CAA championship and its first trip to the NCAA Tournament.

The NCAA is honoring NCAA Division I sports teams with public recognition awards for their latest multiyear NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR). The public recognition awards are part of the broad Division I academic reform effort. The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete. The APR includes eligibility, retention and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.

Multiyear APRs for all Division I sports teams, including the teams receiving public recognition awards, will be announced Wednesday, May 6. The announcement also will include immediate and historical penalties for low-performing teams.

Drexel has graduated every player who has exhausted his or her eligibility under Head Coaches Denise Dillon and Bruiser Flint. Dillon recently finished her sixth year at Drexel, while Flint completed his eighth season at the school.