June 27, 2001

WACO, Texas - The Baylor football program has been recognized by the American Football Coaches Association for graduating 70 percent or more of its football players, the organization announced Wednesday.

Notre Dame and Vanderbilt share the 2001 AFCA Academic Achievement award for recording a 100 percent graduation rate. Baylor joins 27 other institutions in being recognized for graduating 70 percent or more of their football players, including seven institutions that had a graduation rate of 90 percent or better. The institutions receiving honorable mention are: Akron, Ball State, Baylor, Buffalo, Duke, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, LSU, Marshall, Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, Penn State, Rice, South Carolina, SMU, Syracuse, Texas Tech, Tulane, Tulsa, Virginia, Wake Forest, Washington State, Western Michigan, Wyoming.

Baylor, which receives the distinction for the fourth time in five years, is one of just three Big 12 schools to be recognized.

The Bears open the 2001 football season September 8 against Arkansas State. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Floyd Casey Stadium.