YSU ACADEMICS Athletes score above the average

YSU's score was higher than several other Ohio schools.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University's student athletes score well above average in a new assessment of the academic success of the nation's college sports programs.
YSU posted a composite Academic Progress Rate of 953 in the report released this week by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, above the 938 average for public universities nationwide and above the scores of several other Ohio universities.
"We have worked hard to ensure that our athletes are successful both in the classroom and on the playing field," said Ron Strollo, YSU executive director of intercollegiate athletics.
"Our academic advisors and our coaches do a good job sending the right messages and providing the needed support that result in an overall positive and successful academic experience for our athletes."
How it was scored
The NCAA report ranks each university on a scale of 1 to 1,000 based on a complicated formula that measures how many athletes are staying in school and making adequate progress toward their degrees. Teams with an Academic Progress Rate of less than 925 for two years could lose scholarships and face other penalties.
Of the 328 institutions included in the report, YSU ranks 149th, according to data in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Yale University received the highest rate of 999, while Texas Southern University posted the lowest score of 839.
YSU's 953 rate compared well to other public institutions in Ohio, topping Toledo (916), Cincinnati (929), Ohio State (938), Ohio University (951) and Cleveland State (952). Miami University posted the highest score in Ohio at 986.
The report also provided individual scores for each of the university's sports teams. Strollo said YSU's score for football was the highest in the eight-team Gateway Football Conference.
The rating is the latest recognition of YSU's academic success in intercollegiate athletics.
In 2003 and 2004, the university received USA Today/NCAA Foundation Academic Achievement Awards for its high student-athlete graduation rate.
XFor more information on the report, visit www2.ncaa.org.