The Temple football team will add nine players to its scholarship list on Wednesday – all of them nameless, yet extremely valuable. No, Coach Al Golden hasn’t invented a new spring signing period.The nine additions come courtesy of the NCAA, which is set to announce this year’s Academic Progress Rate (APR) figures.
Last year, the Owls lost nine scholarship spots because of a low APR. This year, they’ve done well enough to get them all back, according to Temple Athletic Director Bill Bradshaw.
Golden will have the full complement of 85 scholarships available for the 2007 campaign. Included in that number are 25 newcomers from February’s recruiting class. Last year, in addition to the nine-man roster penalty, the Owls were only permitted to bring in 22 scholarship newcomers.
None of this is breaking news for the Temple staff, which knew of its improved score this winter and recruited accordingly. But a little good news to report to the general public is never a bad thing.
The NCAA will release APR data for every sport on Wednesday. The new numbers reflect the academic progress of student-athletes during the 2005-06 school year, as well as 2003-04 and 2004-05.
No other Temple team has been subject to penalties.
Last week, the NCAA offered a preview of this year’s APR, announcing those teams that scored in the top 10 percent nationally. Temple’s men’s cross country team was among those recognized for its APR excellence.