UNLV football could be penalized for low academic rating

By Taylor Bern

Tuesday, March 25, 2014 | 11 a.m.

The UNLV football team is in danger of falling short of its Academic Progress Rate mark set by the NCAA, which could bring a bowl-game ban or scholarship reductions.

The NCAA’s report doesn’t come out until June, but the university already is looking at possible scenarios.

When asked about the situation, UNLV Athletic Director Tina Kunzer-Murphy shared a statement: “We are engaged in the APR process ahead of the June release by the NCAA. It’s an on-going process and there is nothing definitive to report at this point. We will have no further comment until the process is complete.”

The APR is a system used by the NCAA since 2004-05 to hold programs accountable academically. Teams must maintain a minimum average score of 930 over a four-year period or 940 over a two-year period to be eligible for the postseason. A perfect score on the formula is 1,000.

UNLV had a four-year average of 932 last June, hindered by an 891 APR in 2011-12, according to data on NCAA.org.

The scores are calculated on a system that factors whether a student-athlete is enrolled and eligible each semester. Eighteen programs were punished for low APR scores last year, most notably UConn basketball two years ago.

In 2005-06, when UNLV football’s APR average was 901, the program was docked three scholarships by the NCAA. The following year, the Rebels’ score was just 905, and it had another scholarship taken as penalty.

Rebels coach Bobby Hauck was not immediately available for comment.

Last season, UNLV had a 7-6 record and played in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, its first bowl game in 13 seasons.

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.