May 11, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State football program continues to be an academic leader. Under the direction of head coach Pat Hill, Fresno State's academic reputation continues to grow.
The most recent announcement of the NCAA Academic Progress Rate scores shows the Dogs continue to lead the pack. The Bulldog football program again performed well in the APR scoring, up three points over two years ago to a 948 score, and well ahead of the national average for public schools (931).
Compared to other schools in the region, the Bulldogs continue to set the standard. Fresno State's APR score is better than seven of the eight WAC schools and only two Pac-10 public schools scored better.
In addition to setting a high-standard for team APR scores, the Bulldog program continues to produced Academic All-WAC performers at a record clip.
The Bulldog football team continues to produce high numbers of quality student-athletes with 14 named to the Academic All-WAC team this past season. In the fall of 2007, the Bulldogs had a record 16 football players selected.
Under Pat Hill's guidance, the Bulldogs have produced a league-best 123 Academic All-WAC players, 47 more than the second closest school in the league. Under Hill, the Dogs are averaging 10.3 players per season. Prior to his arrival, Fresno State's football program had produced a total of nine Academic All-WAC players.
Earning Academic All-WAC honors this year were: Brandstater, Kevin Goessling, Anthony Harding, Bryce Harris, Moses Harris, Zak Hill, Andrew Jackson, Ben Jacobs, Drew Lubinsky, Robert Malone, Darren Newborn, Vince Pascoe, Bobby Shepard and Shawn Plummer.
Fresno State has produced more Academic All-WAC players in the last 12 years (
Pat Hill era) than former WAC charter members Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico and Colorado State did during their membership years (1962-99).
"We are proud of the academic accomplishments of the players who have been a part of our program," said Hill. "If you ask any member of our team, they will tell you that our attention to detail with our Academic Gameplan is demanding and it's not lip service. When you look at the APR scores and the number of Academic All-WAC players we've had, it's proof that we say what we mean and mean what we say when it comes to education. That's the Bulldog way and our players understand that. For the past 12 years, this coaching staff has been committed to seeing the student-athletes earn degrees."
2009 NCAA Academic Progress Rate Multi-Year Scores of Division I Football Programs in the West (Pac-10, WAC and MWC)
Team (Conference), APR Score
1. Stanford (Pac-10), 984
2. Air Force (MWC), 983
3. Cal (Pac-10), 970
4. Boise State (WAC), 966
5. TCU (MWC), 962
6. USC (Pac-10), 956
7. Washington (Pac-10), 954
7. Utah (MWC), 954
9. Fresno State (WAC), 948
9. UCLA (Pac-10), 948
11. Arizona State (Pac-10), 945
11. Nevada (WAC), 945
13. Colorado State (MWC), 944
14. BYU (MWC), 942
15. Wyoming (MWC), 939
16. Hawaii (WAC), 935
16. Oregon (Pac-10), 921
18. La Tech (WAC), 934
19. New Mexico (MWC), 932
20. Utah State (WAC), 931
21. Oregon State (Pac-10), 930
22. UNLV (MWC), 929
23. Arizona (Pac-10), 924
24. Washington State (Pac-10), 918
25. San Diego State (Pac-10), 914
26. New Mexico State (WAC), 905
26. Idaho (WAC), 905
28. San Jose State (WAC), 888
Top 5 APR Football Ranking of Public Schools in the West
1. Cal (Pac-10), 970
2. Boise State (WAC), 966
3. Washington (Pac-10), 954
3. Utah (MWC), 954
5. Fresno State (WAC), 948
5. UCLA (Pac-10), 948
"Join the State - Fresno State!" 2009 Fresno State football Season tickets are on sale. Click on the tickets icon at the top of this page for more information and how to order.
