Dec. 16, 2010
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By Leigh Torbin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF is amongst the nation's elite for winning both in the classroom and on the gridiron as Higher Ed Watch validated that on Tuesday in its fourth annual Academic Bowl Championship Series Rankings, placing the Knights sixth in the nation for academic success.
Higher Ed Watch uses several calculations in order to estimate how a college football team is faring academically. The formula takes into account academic success both in relation to other football teams, and to other students at the school. Four federal graduation rate calculations help determine a school's score: the football team's graduation rate relative to the school overall; the difference between African-American and Caucasian graduation rates on the team; the difference between African-American and Caucasian graduation rates at the school overall; and the difference between the graduation rates of African-American players on the football team and the school's overall African-American student population. Additionally, Higher Ed Watch also takes into account a team's Academic Progress Rate (APR), the NCAA's measurement of the success or failure of a team to move its students towards graduating.
Stanford topped the charts nationally in the Higher Ed Watch study.
UCF's success off of the field under head coach George O'Leary has been both consistent and impressive. UCF had eight student-athletes play this past fall having all ready completed their bachelor's degrees, a sum which tied for fourth in the nation. Three more Knights are expected to graduate on Saturday and all 19 of the team's seniors are on pace to receive their college degrees. At the end of the summer semester, 65-percent of the team was on the honor roll, helping the Knights hold a 2.936 grade point average as a team.
No. 24 UCF will go "Bowlin' on Beale Street" when the Knights face Georgia on Dec. 31 in Memphis in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. For all of the latest bowl game ticket and travel information, head to UCFBowl.com or call the UCF Athletics ticket office at (407) 823-1000.