MOBILE, Ala. - University of South Alabama women's golf was named to the NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) public recognition awards list, announced by the NCAA office.

The award is based on the recent multi-year APR, which is based on teams scoring in the top 10 percent in each sport, and rewards teams who demonstrate a commitment to academic progress. USA was one of just two Sun Belt Conference women's golf programs named to the list.

"I think every coach looks at not just athletics, but academics as well, when recruiting," USA head coach T.J. Jackson said. "We try to get a good balance of that. I think if you have no stress in the classroom, that is going to carry over to the golf course, so I believe there is a correlation between the two. I have to give the golfers all of the credit.

"While we have a program that is flexible to their academic needs, they are the ones who take the initiative to make sure they are communicating with their professors and doing their job in the classroom. They are the ones putting all the effort forward, so they deserve all of the credit. They're here to get an education, and they've been doing that."

The APR tracks the progress of each student-athlete on scholarship, and accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation, and provides a measure of each team's academic performance. The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 academic years.

"This is a great accomplishment for our program," USA Director of Athletics Dr. Joel Erdmann said. "It is of the utmost importance that our student-athletes generate a balance of excellence in competition and the classroom. Our women's golf program has done an excellent job in creating that balance, and sets an enviable standard for all of our programs and student-athletes."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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