PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The Rutgers University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics received public recognition today from the NCAA with three programs -- football, women's lacrosse and women's golf -- earning citations for their multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores.

"We are so proud of our students for what they have accomplished," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Julie Hermann. "Graduating our students is our top priority."

"It is a great tribute for the men, women and teams to be recognized by the NCAA for their academic performance," added Scott Walker, Rutgers' Director of Academic Support Services. "To be ranked among the top 10 percent in APR is a testament to the commitment of our students and shows the hard work they put forth."

The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student on scholarship. The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.

The Rutgers football program ranked in the top 10 percent nationally in APR for the eighth-straight year, which led all Big Ten member institutions. The program placed 27 students on the Big Ten All-Academic Team, the fourth-most among the conference teams. Included in this group was David Milewski, who was named a First Team Academic All-American and earned a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. Additionally, Milewski along with Michael Burton, Tyler Kroft and Lorenzo Waters were selected to the National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society for their work in the classroom.

"For the eighth straight year Rutgers football has ranked in the top 10 percent nationally in APR scores and that is a tremendous honor for this program," said Head Football Coach Kyle Flood. "This is an accomplishment that the entire program takes pride in. Our students work extremely hard to meet the high academic standards that have been set. Our continued academic success is a credit to the dedicated work of Jenna Beverly, Bill Bailey, Ramel Meekins and the entire academic support staff." 

Rutgers is one of 14 Football Bowl Subdivision programs, and one of five Big Ten Conference programs, to be ranked in the top 10 percent in APR score.

Rutgers women's lacrosse earned an APR Public Recognition Award in each of the last four seasons dating back to the 2011-12 academic year. The program has a longstanding history of academic success and has also earned distinction as an Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Academic Honor squad for eight consecutive years.

"We continue to be proud of our strong academic tradition," said Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Laura Brand-Sias. "I'm constantly impressed with the work ethic of our players and staff to maintain our progress in the classroom. This is a true testament to all of their hard work."

Rutgers women's golf was recognized for the third-straight year as a program ranked in the top 10 percent nationally in APR score. It is the fourth overall public recognition for the program.

"We are committed to providing a first class experience for our students," said Head Women's Golf Coach Kari Williams. "We are dedicated to success in the classroom, as well as on the course." 

Each year, the NCAA honors selected Division I sports teams by publicly recognizing their latest multiyear NCAA Division I APR. This announcement is part of the overall Division I academic reform effort and is intended to highlight teams that demonstrate a commitment to academic progress and retention of students by achieving the top APRs within their respective sports. Specifically, these teams posted multi-year APRs in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport.