A record-high total 22 Summit League teams were bestowed with the NCAA Public Recognition Award.

It’s an honor given to teams whose most recent multi-year Academic Progress Rates (APR) are among the top 10 percent in each sport. This season’s awards are based on 2012-13 figures.

Omaha received a Summit League-best five awards with North Dakota State second at four. IUPUI, South Dakota State and Western Illinois each had three squads on the list. Fort Wayne and South Dakota along with affiliate member Eastern Illinois and former member Oakland were also represented.

Four Summit League institutions (IUPUI, North Dakota State, South Dakota State and Western Illinois) increased their award totals over the previous year.

Institutions receive a congratulatory letter from the NCAA for their honored squad(s). The following teams were recognized for their 2012-13 figures:

Omaha (5): Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Golf, Women’s Tennis, Women’s Indoor Track & Field, Women’s Outdoor Track & Field

North Dakota State (4): Baseball, Men’s Cross Country, Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Golf IUPUI (3): Men’s Tennis, Men’s Outdoor Track & Field, Women’s Soccer South Dakota State (3): Women’s Basketball, Men’s Tennis, Women’s Tennis Western Illinois (3): Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Tennis, Volleyball Fort Wayne (1): Women’s Golf South Dakota (1): Men’s Golf

*Eastern Illinois (1): Men’s Swimming **Oakland (1): Women’s Basketball * denotes affiliate league member ** denotes former league member (APR figures based on years as league member) The APR provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship.  The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team’s academic performance.