ORLANDO, Fla. – The 2015-16 UIW football team was one of 13 FCS football programs to earn Most Improved APR accolades, the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association announced Monday afternoon as part of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) convention.

"This just reaffirms the quality our academic advisors have," stated UIW interim Director of Athletics, Mark Papich. "The hours they have put in working with our staff and student-athletes is overwhelming. They're professional in every level."

In 2014-15, the Cardinals had an APR of 939. The number jumped 11 points a year later with 950. The 2015-16 Cardinals had the most improved APR for the Southland Conference and join Cal Poly (Big Sky Conference), Charleston Southern (Big South), James Madison (Colonial Athletic), Delaware State (Mid-Eastern Athletic), Youngstown State (Missouri Valley), Central Connecticut State (Northeast), Tennessee State (Ohio Valley), Colgate (Patriot), Butler (Pioneer), Samford (Southern), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Southwestern Athletic), and Brown (Ivy).

Due to the amount of content for hundreds of FCS football programs around the country, the awarding year is based on two seasons ago. The 2016-17 season will be up for the 2018 award.

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The Cardinals are scheduled to open their 2017 season in California with a matchup at Fresno State on Sept. 2. UIW's first action at Benson Stadium will come against archrival Abilene Christian on Sept. 30.
 
Fans can order season tickets by calling the UIW box office at 210-805-3000.
 
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