High academic score has Leavitt glowing
By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published March 2, 2005

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Academic reports aren't usually the kind of thing to get football coaches excited, but Jim Leavitt can barely contain himself.

South Florida posted the highest overall Academic Progress Rate score of any school in the state, and any football school in Conference USA or in next year's Big East.

"To me, that's staggering," said Leavitt, who starts spring practice March 22. "When we first started this program nine years ago, people wanted to know if we were going to do it the right way. This really means a lot to me."

USF's overall score of 976 - 28 points above the Division I average - shows a programwide ability to keep athletes eligible and headed toward graduation. But the football team's score of 965 is a full 52 points above the average for public schools.

Leavitt said that reinforces the benefits of attending USF, something that can only help the Bulls in recruiting next season.

"It should," said Leavitt, who said the credit for USF's academic success should start with associate athletic director Phyllis LaBaw and assistant AD Cindy Moore, who work in USF's Academic Enrichment Center. "If I were a parent looking at schools for my child, it would mean a lot to me. It's very powerful. It gives us an image as being a strong academic school. And we'll get even better. I hope our players are very proud of that."

Times staff writer Greg Auman covers USF. Reach him at 813 226-3346 or auman@sptimes.com

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