Oklahoma State Football Sets New High-Water Mark in APR

After sitting in the danger zone with its APR score earlier this decade, Oklahoma State has made an about face when it comes to academics with its football team.

The Cowboy football program’s 2015-16 rate of 974 and its multi-year rate of 953 both represent the highest marks it has achieved since the APR was implemented in 2003. This year’s multi-year rate was an improvement over the previous year for the fourth consecutive year.

The magic four-year average for APR (which measures eligibility and retention) is 930. You have to hold an average of 930 or higher over the last four years to qualify for the postseason. A mark of 980 or higher is considered outstanding. A score of 1,000 is perfect.

Here are the Big 12 multi-year rankings. OSU is still in the bottom half.

“Our student-athletes are performing well in the classroom and the APR data shows that,” athletic director Mike Holder said. “The high scores are a reflection of the pride they take in their own development and also of the culture that our coaches and academic support staff have in place.”

Head football coach Mike Gundy agreed.

“We set a program record for APR this year and the numbers show – like in other areas of Oklahoma State football – that we are rising to the top,” Gundy said.

“This is exactly what our staff wants. Not only are we winning on the football field, but we’re winning in the classroom. We have a great partnership with Marilyn Middlebrook and her team in the Academic Enrichment Center and we’re thankful for all the time and effort they put in to helping all of our student-athletes reach their goals in the classroom.”

It’s good to see Pokes succeeding on and off the field. Here are all the scores for every sport in Stillwater.