JACKSON, Miss. – Jackson State University has won 2019-20 SWAC Academic Success Award.
 
The SWAC Academic Success Award is a monetary award decided based upon each member institutions collective ranking in the categories of highest four-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) average, highest single year APR average, and highest Graduate Success Rate (GSR).
 
"Student-athletes who attend Jackson State University are supported in the classroom and the field of competition. I'm proud that our student-athletes that helped us achieve this milestone and earn the distinction," said JSU Vice President and Director of Athletics, Ashley Robinson. "Our academic and compliance staff, in my opinion, is the best the country. They consistently meet and exceed expectations and make sure our student-athletes are properly supported throughout their journey at Jackson State."
 
166 student-athletes were named to the 2019-20 All-SWAC Academic Team (CLICK LINK TO VIEW COMPLETE LIST)
 
The JSU Division of Athletics will receive $10,000 monetary award.
 
More academic news
 
The Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) has announced the recipients of the Academic Progress Rate (APR) Award, with Jackson State University having the highest APR in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
 
"I am very proud of our football student-athletes for their hard work and dedication in the classroom," said Robinson. "Our academic staff, in my opinion, is the best in the nation. This is a team win as we continue to set the bar in the SWAC and across the country."
 
In 2003, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) member colleges and universities adopted a comprehensive academic reform package designed to improve the academic success and graduation of all student-athletes. The centerpiece of the package is the academic measurement for teams, known as the Academic Progress Rate (APR).
 
JSU student-athletes proved to be champions in the classroom for 2019-20 and recorded several high marks. Overall, student-athletes finished with a cumulative 3.29 grade point average.
 
Overall, 11 student-athletes completed the academic year with a perfect 4.0 GPA. The Tigers also dominated in the Spring 2020 semester and 49 student-athletes also finished with a 4.0 GPA.
 
"We are all very proud of the work our student-athletes have put in the classroom," Robinson. "The fact our student-athletes finished strong amidst the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to their work ethic and integrity. I also applaud our coaches and academic support staff who made sure our student-athletes received the required help and resources to finish the semester on a strong and positive note."
 

• The Division of Athletics finished the Spring 2020 semester with a 3.36 GPA
• 166 student-athletes completed the year with a 3.0 cumulative GPA and higher
• 225 student-athletes finished the Spring 2020 semester with 3.0 GPA and higher
• Men's tennis ended the 2019-20 academic year with a 3.70 cumulative GPA, which ranked first in the Division of Athletics
• Women's tennis ended the 2019-20 academic year with a 3.60 cumulative GPA, which finished first among women's programs
• 15 of 16 teams finished with a 3.0 GPA or higher

 
The Division of Athletics overall APR was 977, which ranked first in the SWAC. The football program also finished with a 973, which ranked first in the conference and the top five percent at the FCS level.
 
The 2019 Graduation Success Rate (GSR) was 88.4 percent. The GSR rate is higher than the FCS (87.6) and SWAC (82.8) averages. 64 student-athletes earned their degrees in the 2019-20 academic year.