WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM AWARDED FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS BY NCAA FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR 4/22/2009 INDIANAPOLIS – The Sacramento State women’s basketball program received an Academic Performance Program Public Recognition Award from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), it was announced on Wednesday, April 22. The teams recognized posted multiyear Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores in the top 10 percent of all squads nationally in their respective sports. Of the 41 women’s basketball programs in the country that were recognized, just three were from west of the Mississippi River. Sacramento State was the only school honored in the state of California, which has 23 schools that compete at the Division I level in women’s basketball. “This is a tremendous honor for our women’s basketball program, and demonstrates our efforts to achieve both academic and athletic excellence,” Sacramento State Director of Athletics Terry Wanless said. “To receive this award for the second straight year is very satisfying, and reflects the philosophy coach Muscatell brought to the program, one we look to build upon for the future.” Sacramento State was one of only 26 schools to earn the honor in women’s basketball the last two seasons, with 15 schools earning the honor for the first time. The program was one of only two Big Sky sports honored, along with Eastern Washington’s men’s cross country team. The APR includes eligibility, retention and graduation in the calculation and provides a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.