Bengal Football Program Expects Perfect 1,000 APR Score for 2011-12 Academic Year

POCATELLO, Idaho- While the NCAA won't release the official APR scores for the 2011-12 year until late spring, the Idaho State Athletic Department has submitted that the football program will have a perfect 1,000 APR score for the 2011-12 school year, pending NCAA approval.

“I appreciate the efforts, vision and hard work of Matt Steuart, Quinton Freeman, Nancy Graziano and Dr. James Yizar,” Idaho State Director of Athletics Jeff Tingey said. “To have a perfect 1,000 also speaks volumes to the efforts the student-athletes, coaches and our academic support areas have put in to create a culture of academic excellence.”

In the last four years the Bengals have steadily improved their single-year scores as it has gone from an 873 to 883 to a 903 to a perfect 1,000 for the 2011-12 academic year. The two-year APR average under coach Mike Kramer will be a 953 if the NCAA approves the perfect 1,000.

A big reason for the improved score has been the efforts of Freeman and Steuart who have assisted in helping 14 former Bengal football players graduate in the last four years.

The football program no longer is under APR penalties and will once again have the full 63 scholarships, allotted full practice time and be permitted to qualify for post season competition.

“The improved APR scores and combined team grade point averages are a team effort by the coaches, student-athletes and our academic services area,” Steuart said. “It is exciting to see the continued academic improvement by the football program.”

In the last three semesters, the football program has also continued to excel in the classroom as the combined grade point average has improved each year under Kramer. The spring 2011 GPA was 2.84 and it improved to 3.06 in the fall of 2011 and 3.16 in the spring of 2012.

“We've come a long ways since coach Kramer was hired,” Freeman said. “The guys have responded well to the challenge we have put in front of them, academically and athletically. We will continue to do great things in the classroom. I want to thank our guys for responding. They are capable and its showing.”