Bears continue to lead Big 12 in athletics and academics

As we noted a couple of weeks ago, Baylor is tied for the conference lead with five Big 12 titles this season (and second in the league in conference championships over the past six years). But the Bears excel in the classroom, too. Three programs (baseball, women’s golf and soccer) led the Big 12 in Academic Progress Rate (APR) in the most recent report from the NCAA, and two more programs (men’s basketball and women’s tennis) finished second in the league.

Baylor’s men’s basketball and women’s golf programs each received special recognition from the NCAA for finishing among the top 10% of programs within that sport in APR. (FYI, APR is a formula used by the NCAA that looks at eligibility, retention and graduation to provide a clear picture of the academic culture in each sport.)

A host of Bears were recognized Tuesday night for their academics at the annual Student-Athlete Banquet. The Big 12 Conference Senior Award, which recognizes both a male and female senior athlete who has excelled in the classroom, on the field and in the community, went to a pair of student-athletes (pictured) who have already been drafted by their sport’s top professional league: football’s Jason Smith, the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, and softball’s Brette Regan, the No. 4 overall pick in the National Pro Fastpitch Senior Draft.

Sic ’em, Baylor student-athletes!