The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team received the Academic Progress Rate (APR) Award, sponsored by Forward Progress. The APR Award recognizes one institution at each of the 13 FCS conferences that has improved the most from the previous year.
This honor was given by the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) at last week's banquet in Dallas, Texas.
"Our Association is pleased to present these awards to spotlight the mission of all FCS programs, embracing the academic progress of their student-athletes, who will become leaders off the field," said FCS ADA President Jeff Tingey, director of athletics at Idaho State University.
"Thanks to Forward Progress, we are pleased to continue to recognize the FCS institutions and their football programs for continuing to reach exemplary APR scores."
The Mocs had a 992 single-year score for the 2014-15 cohort, its highest on record. UTC's four-year APR average increased 12 points to a 973. The NCAA minimum required score is a 973.
Every Division I sports team across the nation calculates its APR each academic year, similar to a report card. Scholarship student-athletes each semester earn one point for remaining eligible and one point for staying in school or graduating.
The Mocs are set to open their 2016 campaign on Thursday, Sept. 1, against Shorter. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. (E.D.T.) at Finley Stadium. Tickets are on sale now on GoMocs.com or by calling the UTC Ticket Office at (423) 266-MOCS (6627).