WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (W&M Media Relations) - The William & Mary athletics department once again ranked among the nation's best in academic achievement, earning eight NCAA Public Recognition Awards for the 2018-19 school year. The total ranks as the third-best total among all public colleges and universities, and was the most earned by any school in both the Colonial Athletic Association and in the state of Virginia. In total, 326 institutions earned an award, accounting for 1,380 awards overall (an average of 4.2 awards per university).
W&M's eight awards in the most recent reporting are the eighth time that the Tribe has earned at least eight Public Recognition awards in the 15-year history of the program, and the fifth year in a row. On a national level, W&M tied for 25th among all universities, and tied for third among all public institutions, behind only Arizona State (12) and California (10). On a more regional level, the Tribe's eight awards tied with UNCW as the most in the CAA, and were three more than any other program in the state.
Earning Public Recognition Awards for the 2018-19 school year, emblematic of having an APR score in the top-10% of their respective sports, were the men's and women's golf teams, and the men's and women's gymnastics teams, as well as women's cross country, women's swimming, women's tennis, and volleyball.
Both gymnastics teams and the women's golf team were honored for the 11th time in the last 15 years, including nine years in a row for the golf squad. The men's golf team was honored for the seventh year in a row and 10th year overall, while the women's swimming team was honored for the sixth year in a row. The volleyball team was also honored for the sixth time overall, earning the award for the first time since 2008-09, and the women's tennis team was honored for the second year in a row and fourth time overall. Finally, the women's cross country team earned its third overall award, and the first since the 2005-06 season.
| Top 10 Public Schools | CAA | State of Virginia |
| 1. Arizona State - 12 2. California - 10 T3. William & Mary - 8 T3. Michigan - 8 T3. UNCW - 8 T6. Illinois - 7 T6. Auburn - 7 T6. UAB - 7 T6. Kentucky - 7 T6. Wisconsin - 7 T6. Stony Brook - 7 T6. Rutgers - 7 T6. SIU-Edwardsville - 7 T6. North Carolina - 7 T6. Arkansas - 7 | T1. William & Mary - 8 T1. UNCW - 8 3. Elon - 6 T4. Towson - 5 T4. Hofstra - 5 6. Charleston - 4 T7. Northeastern - 3 T7. Drexel - 3 T9. James Madison - 2 T9. Delaware - 2 | 1. William & Mary - 8 T2. Richmond 5 T2. Virginia 5 T4. Old Dominion 4 T4. Virginia Tech 4 T6. Longwood 3 T6. Radford 3 T6. George Mason 3 T9. VCU 2 T9. Liberty 2 T9. James Madison 2 12. Hampton 1 |
