ASU is the Biggest Competitor to Stanford
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As ASU and Stanford Football face off on September 30, ASU has also become a major challenger academically.
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA; SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 -Though the Cardinals fans, who would have gathered in Stanford Stadium for the September 30, 2017 football game, or even some Sun Devil fans, who were buoyed by
Arizona State University’s (ASU) surprise 37-35 victory over Oregon the week before, may not believe it, ASU is one of Stanford’s toughest competitors. Having already beaten the #2 running back, and having a quarterback
Manny Wilkins, who has not thrown an interception in 188 passing attempts, had given the Sun Devils confidence the day before the game, of being competitive against the #1 running back Royce Freeman. But, regardless of the outcome of the PAC-12 game, ASU is threatening Stanford’s dominance in another way: off-the-field academics.
For the third year in a row, ASU’s Tempe Campus, not Stanford (#2), was designated
the #1 Most Innovative School in the US News & World Report’s rankings. ASU was noted for having 300 undergraduate programs, 500 clubs and organizations, 250 study abroad options, and a wide range of highly-ranked graduate programs. The niversity was particularly praised for its championship of cultural diversity, its emphasis on entrepreneurship, and its commitment to sustainability.
Meanwhile, ASU Athletics is poised to overtake Stanford in another area, of which the fans of neither team may be aware. The
Academic Progress Rate (APR), tracked by the NCAA, is designed to hold institutions accountable for the academic progress and retention of their student athletes.
ASU is #2 to Stanford in PAC-12 graduation rates for its athletes. From 2012-2016, ASU recorded its highest four-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) average (991 out of 1000), and 2016 was its highest individual year rate. In May 2017, ASU Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson credited the coaches, staff, faculty, and sports administrators for the success.
So, while the Sun Devils were pumped for another upset on September 30, Stanford should also be prepared for the strong ASU offense in the classroom the rest of the 2017 season, as ASU pursues #1 in the APR rankings for this academic year.
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(Photo by Hassan Kareem) ASU Quarterback Manny Wilkins scored a touchdown in the upset of Oregon on September 23. He has set the record for the longest ASU passing streak without an interception. ASU Athletics hopes to continue to set records in its APR rankings, and soon overtake Stanford by having the highest academic ranking among student athletes in the PAC-12.
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About Denise Meridith Consultants Inc.
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Denise Meridith Consultants Inc (DMCI) is a Phoenix-based community and public relations firm. DMCI won a Phoenix Award for Consulting Services in 2017. The CEO-Denise Meridith-has written innumerable articles about Arizona professional and academic sports for local and national media since 2001. Hassan Kareem is a nationally known photographer, and CEO of Brotha Love Productions.
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Media Contact:
Name Denise Meridith
Title CEO, Denise Meridith Consultants Inc
Phone: 602-763-9900
Email address: denisemeridithconsultants@cox.net
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