NORFOLK, Va. – The North Carolina Central Athletic Department was recognized for academic excellence with the highest Academic Progress Rate (APR) in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

NCCU received a $10,000 check for the honor at the inaugural MEAC Foundation Sneaker Ball on May 22.

The Eagles earned their highest APR score of the Division I era, posting a 992 in the latest report for the 2024-25 academic year. Nine teams achieved perfect 1,000 single-year APR scores, while two programs recorded perfect 1,000 multi-year scores based on a four-year average.

The nine teams with perfect single-year scores were men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis, women's basketball, softball and volleyball.

Women's tennis and men's golf also finished in the top 10 percent nationally in APR for their respective sports, earning NCAA Public Recognition Awards for their perfect multi-year scores.

Every NCCU program exceeded the NCAA minimum multi-year APR benchmark of 930, which measures student-athlete eligibility and retention and reflects the academic culture of each team.

Also recognized at the gala were the MEAC Graduation Success Rate (GSR) leader and the All-Sports Award winners. Howard earned the GSR award with an 83 percent rate for the 2014-17 cohorts.

Norfolk State captured the Talmadge Layman Hill Men's All-Sports Award, while Howard received the Mary McLeod Bethune Women's All-Sports Award. The honors are based on points accumulated through conference championships, regular-season titles and runner-up finishes across men's and women's sports.

NC Central finished third among MEAC men's programs with 30 points, highlighted by strong performances in cross country, football, basketball and tennis.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.