For the first time since the NCAA began its academic tracking system eight years ago, both of the Arizona Wildcats' revenue sports were ranked in the Pac-10's top half.
The Academic Progress Rate report, released Tuesday by the NCAA, showed the Wildcats' football and men's basketball teams scoring higher than the national average.
Each team ranked fifth in the conference.
"Academic reputation in recruiting is very important," UA athletic director Greg Byrne said. "It's obvious by the efforts of everyone from our university that that's not a major issue for us going forward.
"But it's also important to remember that we have to stay focused."
The APR is a rolling four-year measurement of how well individual teams retain players and keep them academically eligible.
Each player is awarded up to four points a year based on academic eligibility. Teams' total scores are divided by the number of possible points. A 950, for example, equals 95 percent.
Teams can be penalized for scoring below 925.
Sean Miller's team scored a 950, five points higher than the national average and six higher than last year's score, which was tied for seventh in the Pac-10.
Mike Stoops' squad posted a 951, five points above the average and 11 points better than last year. The UA football team was ninth in the league last year.
Eleven of the Wildcats' 18 teams improved their scores from last year; two remained the same.
Tuesday's results measured a rolling four-year total ending with the 2009-10 academic year.
Since Byrne's arrival last year, the athletic department has made one major academic change - setting a mandatory attendance policy. Under the same rationale, Byrne said, he appreciates the APR.
"You have to get people's attention to make sure they understand the seriousness of performing well academically," he said.
Tuesday's report measured the scores of 6,400 teams across Division I.
Scores went up in every sport, but eight teams were banned from postseason play this upcoming season.
Cal State-Northridge, Chicago State, Grambling, Southern University and Louisiana-Monroe had their basketball teams penalized. Three football teams, Idaho State, Jackson State and Southern, were banned.
NCAA president Mark Emmert said APR has become a measuring tool used by schools and fans alike.
"For the first time in the history of intercollegiate sport," he said, "we have a common language and common expectations around academics."
Movin' on up
Eleven of Arizona's teams improved their Academic Progress Rate scores over last season, while two more remained the same. The APR measures a school's ability to retain athletes. A look at the scores:
Men's sports
Sport 2011 2010
Baseball 929 927
Football 951 940
Basketball 950 944
Cross country 975 992
Golf 971 959
Swimming 981 960
Tennis 961 951
Track (indoor) 940 949
Track (outdoor) 942 949
Women's sports
Sport 2011 2010
Softball 959 943
Basketball 932 932
Cross country 953 955
Golf 994 978
Gymnastics 991 991
Soccer 978 987
Swimming 971 973
Tennis 962 972
Track (indoor) 974 969
Track (outdoor) 970 962
Volleyball 986 975
In the middle
The Wildcats are ranked fifth in the conference in Academic Progress Rate scores for football and men's basketball:
Football scores
Stanford 977
Oregon State 959
UCLA 956
USC 952
Arizona 951
Cal 949
Washington 946
Oregon 941
Arizona State 940
Washington State 925
Men's basketball scores
Washington 980
Stanford 976
Washington State 971
Arizona State 961
Arizona 950
Cal 948
UCLA 948
Oregon State 939
Oregon 934
USC 912
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