8 Div. I HBCUs get NCAA APR sanctions

Fourteeen Division I HBCU teams at eight different schools will be ineligible for the postseason in 2017-18 due to their low Academic Progress Rates.

In 2017-18, teams are subject to penalties for not meeting the minimum academic standard set by member schools. Some of the teams ineligible for postseason play are among those subject to penalties. Schools may request a waiver from some or all penalty elements. Waivers are overseen by the Committee on Academics. The Academic Performance Program penalty structure includes three levels, with penalties increasing in severity at each level. Schools move through the penalty structure each year, progressing to the next level of severity if their multiyear APR remains below the benchmarks.

The specific penalties for each team are listed on the school’s report in the APR searchable database. Level One penalties focus on practice restrictions, which provide additional
time for teams to focus on academics. Teams facing this penalty lose four hours and one day of practice time per week in season, which is intended to be replaced with academic activities. In 2017-18, 16 teams face this level of penalty.

Level Two penalties include the Level One penalty and a reduction of four hours of practice time out of season, which is intended to be replaced with academic activities. At Level Two, the team’s non-championship season, or spring football, is eliminated. Teams without non championship seasons face a reduced number of contests. In 2017-18, 10 teams fall into this category.

Penalty Chart – Postseason ineligibility
Alabama A&M: Baseball, M basketball, M golf, W cross country
Grambling: M basketball, M cross country, M track
Howard: M swimming and diving
Morgan State: M cross country
Savannah State: M basketball, football
Southern: M baseball, M cross country, M track, W cross country

Level One Penalties
Alabama A&M: M basketball, football, W basketball, W cross country, W soccer
Florida A&M: W bowling
Grambling: Men’s basketball, M cross country, M track, softball
Morgan State: W basketball, W track
Prairie View A&M: M basketball
Savannah State: Baseball

Level Two Penalties
Alabama A&M: Baseball, M golf
Howard: M swimming and diving
Morgan State: M cross country
Savannah State: M basketball, football
Southern: baseball, M cross country, M track, W cross country