SE Grand Rapids News

The NCAA has published the Division II Academic Success Rate (ASR) for the 2021-22 season, placing Davenport University among the top-performing institutions with a rating of 93. The ASR, introduced in 2006, serves as a measure to compare student-athlete graduation rates against federal averages and general student body figures. It reflects the percentage of student-athletes graduating within six years of their initial college enrollment.

The NCAA developed this metric at the request of university presidents who found flaws in the federal graduation rate. Unlike its federal counterpart, the Division II ASR includes non-scholarship athletes and considers those transferring to a Division II school after starting elsewhere. It also excludes students who leave while still academically eligible.

For the class entering in 2014, data shows that 76 percent of Division II student-athletes graduated within six years. Since Davenport University's transition to NCAA Division II, it has consistently recorded an ASR of at least 93 percent annually.

Out of 17 sports evaluated at Davenport (with indoor track, outdoor track, and cross country counted as one sport per gender), 11 achieved perfect scores. These sports include men's basketball, men's golf, men's lacrosse, men's tennis, men's cross country/track and field, men's wrestling, women's lacrosse, softball, women's soccer, women's tennis, and women's volleyball.

Paul Lowden, executive director of intercollegiate athletics at Davenport University stated: "We are excited that our student-athletes continue to rank amongst the top schools in the country when it comes to Academic Success Rate." He added that Davenport provides opportunities for high-level athletic competition alongside academic excellence: "It is a great 'Life in the Balance' experience that is at the heart of the NCAA Division II philosophy."