Academic Consulting

As experts in NCAA academic policy, Forward Progress is perfectly situated to help institutions with attaining the academic results necessary to obtain the Academic-Based Revenue Distribution. Whether it is working with an entire conference or individual schools, we offer real, tangible solutions for improving APR as well as graduation rates.  This is accomplished through thorough analysis of school’s data as well as employing our well-honed abilities for APR and graduation rate improvement.

Forward Progress Athletics Consulting is the industry leader in providing academic and APR related consulting to NCAA institutions, conferences, and individuals.

Since our inception in 2013, we have assisted more than 75 NCAA Division I schools with improving their APR scores.  This is accomplished in two ways. First, Forward Progress staff work with schools to uncover any APR points that can be recouped. Second, we conduct extensive reviews and analysis of historical APR data, with a focus on identifying trends and understanding where teams have historically lost APR points. Through this review, Forward Progress provides analysis and advice to institutions in order to achieve the maximum APR and facilitate progress toward graduation for all student-athletes.

In 2014, Forward Progress affiliated with the renowned Collegiate Sport Practice Group of the law firm at Bond, Schoeneck & King. This collaboration offers clients the full breadth of NCAA regulatory and APP services delivered by the leaders in this field. Read more about this affiliation here.

With the APR benchmark for post-season competition at 930, and the Academic-Based Revenue Distribution set at 985, the stakes for academic underperformance have never been greater.

The APR waiver structure is complex and nuanced, and having a skilled advocate assisting your staff can be the difference between receiving relief or suffering APR penalties. Forward Progress assists clients in all aspects of APR waiver preparation, from the drafting of the waiver application to preparing for participation in telephonic or in-person appeals.

Forward Progress is known as the industry leader in the APR waiver process, with unparalleled experience in helping schools navigate this high-stakes and intricate system.

It is the phone call that you never want to receive: you have been chosen for an APR data review. Your already thinly-stretched department may now undergo several months of document review and back-and-forth with NCAA staff. You may even be required to re-certify eligibility for many student-athletes.

We have years of experience with assisting schools through data reviews, and our President, John Shukie, oversaw the data review process while working at the NCAA. We can assist you with navigating what could be an otherwise tricky process.

APR Adjustments are often overlooked as a primary means for avoiding APR penalties. Forward Progress has extensive experience with assisting schools through the adjustment process, and avoiding the APR waiver process altogether. Let our experience help decipher the best method to approach your APR needs.

APR Improvement Plans are the backbone of the Academic Performance Program. An effective or ineffective plan can make or break the academic performance of an athletic team.

Forward Progress will work with your athletic department and all key stakeholders to ensure that a comprehensive and sustainable improvement plan is adopted.  The APR improvement plan will address key issues and include the drafting of policies, creation of best practices and a 2-3 year vision for raising academic performance.

In addition, Forward Progress will continue to work with you to make sure that those responsible for the plan are held accountable for its implementation.

Every year your APR Data is due and every year APR Data is audited. If you are running into unexpected issues with submitting APR data, enlist the help of the APR experts and ensure your APR submission is accurate.

Academics is a first priority of the NCAA membership, but it can often be overshadowed by competing priorities. Forward Progress can provide a variety of customizable and educational offerings for your campus.

Forward Progress in-person APR workshops may be geared towards coaches, administrators, or student-athletes on the basics and more advanced concepts of the APR and what steps they can take to avoid falling below established benchmarks. In addition, workshops may cover proper PTD policies and procedures for eligibility certification.