Of all 78 Football Bowl Subdivision schools playing in bowl games this post season, UCF’s student-athletes academically finished No. 9 in the nation and No. 1 in Florida, according to a graduation-success report released today by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport based at UCF.

Richard Lapchick, director of the institute and primary author of the study, says the “Keeping Score When It Counts” report uses data collected by the NCAA from member institutions for the graduation study.

UCF’s student-athletes earned an Academic Progress Rate score of 987, tied with The Ohio State University. The highest academically ranked bowl-bound team for the 2019-20 season is the U.S. Air Force Academy at 997, followed by Clemson University at 992 and the U.S. Naval Academy and University of Washington tied at 991.

The Knights’ score of 987 ranked the school’s student-athletes highest in Florida, ahead of University of Florida at 975, Florida Atlantic at 971 and three other schools headed for post-season games.

The NCAA created the APR in 2004 as part of an academic-reform package to more accurately measure student-athletes’ academic success and improve graduation rates at member institutions. The measurement holds universities accountable for student-athletes’ success in the classroom and their progress toward graduation.

UCF will play the Marshall Thundering Herd on Dec. 23 in the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. and the game will be televised by ESPN. Tickets are now for sale.

 

Keeping Score When It Counts report

Top 10 in the Nation

U.S. Air Force Academy 997

Clemson University 992

U.S. Naval Academy 991

University of Washington 991

Boston College 989

University of Nevada, Reno 989

University of Utah 989

Wake Forest University 989

University of Central Florida 987

The Ohio State University 987

 

Top in Florida

University of Central Florida 987

University of Florida 975

Florida Atlantic University 971

University of Miami 970

Florida International University 959

Florida State University 936