NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State University Athletics Director Marty L. Miller released the following statement Tuesday in response to the NCAA's yearly release of the Academic Progress Rate (APR) data:

“It is unfortunate that we did not meet the NCAA's APR benchmark in a couple of our sports, notably men's track and field. It is a concern when student-athletes in a given sport fail to meet their course requirements and do not make progress toward graduation.

“Several student-athletes departed the track program before graduating and it reflected in the track program's overall APR score for 2011-12. Over the previous three APR reporting cycles, the men's track program graduation success rate was at or above 50 percent. However, the 2011-12 report – which reflects the graduation data of athletes who entered the University from 2003-07 – reflected a graduation success rate below 50 percent due to the departure of several track performers. Therefore, the coaching staff and academic support administrators have implemented several corrective measures to encourage the student-athletes to complete their academic requirements to graduate in a timely manner so they can excel in the classroom just as they have on the track.

“Although this is a minor setback for the men's track program, the student-athletes continue to graduate at a high rate at Norfolk State University. The overall graduation success rate for student-athletes is 62 percent. Sixty-nine (69) student-athletes graduated during the 2012-13 academic year and fifty-four (54) during the 2011-12 school year. These increased graduation rates are an indication that our student-athletes are achieving the goals of the NCAA APR program.”

The NSU men's indoor and outdoor track and field teams will still compete in a normal regular-season schedule of meets during 2013-14, but will not be able to participate in MEAC championships or NCAA postseason competitions.