for Cam but for all quarterbacks, Rivera said.Newton suggested

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The NCAA announced Tuesday that 77 percent of black mens Division I basketball players who entered college in 2009 earned a degree within six years, up five points from a year earlier and a record high.That improvement helped the overall Graduation Success Rate match last years record of 86 percent of athletes graduating within six years, the NCAA said. Of all black Division I student-athletes, 74 percent graduated within six years. NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a news release the improved rates were hugely significant.Over the last 15 years, the overall Graduation Success Rate has dramatically improved, but the really good news is how college sports helps more and more minority students, especially those playing our highest-profile sport, earn a degree that will help them long after their athletics career is over, he said.The graduation rate for black basketball players is up 31 percentage points over the past 15 years, the NCAA said. Overall, all black male athletes have increased their GSR by 19 percentage points to 70 percent during that time. Black female athletes improved their rate 13 points to 84 percent over that same time.For all Division I athletes, the rate increased 12 percentage points during the past 15 years.B. David Ridpath, an associate professor of sports business and president of The Drake Group, an NCAA watchdog, said the GSR provides only a partial picture, pointing to reports of athletes at North Carolina taking courses aimed at boosting their GPAs in a department popular with athletes.Are we essentially practicing eligibility maintenance, potentially in a major with friendly faculty? he said. Are these kids graduating with a very meaningful, vital degree that can benefit them for the next 50 to 60 years of their life? In some cases, yes, this is happening. But all too often -- and I know this because I worked in college athletics -- were essentially pushing these kids through, keeping them eligible and in cases where they do graduate they might not be graduating with the requisite skills.Among The Associated Press Top 25 football teams, the only teams with a GSR 65 percent or lower were No. 25 Troy at 65 percent and No. 13 Oklahoma State at 50 percent. Among Top 25 mens basketball teams, No. 4 Oregon had a GSR of 38 percent; No. 25 California 40 percent; No. 5 North Carolina, No. 18 Syracuse and No. 24 Cincinnati all had GSRs of 50 percent; and No. 13 Michigan State had a GSR of 63 percent.The University of Connecticut mens basketball team had one of the lower graduation rates at 22 percent, according to the latest results. But those 2009 numbers were actually a big improvement over previous years. The teams GSR rose from just 8 percent in 2006, 17 percent the following year and 20 percent in 2008.School spokesman Mike Enright said the poor graduation rate reflects the same time period for which UConn was sanctioned by the NCAA and missed the 2013 postseason because of another indicator, the Academic Progress Rate, which measures whether players are in good academic standing.The school has reported perfect or near perfect APR scores since 2012-13 and is expecting similar numbers this year, Enright said. He also said all current members of the basketball team are on track to graduate.The academic achievement of our mens basketball team has been outstanding the past several years and I have a full expectation that this will continue, UConn athletic director David Benedict said.Clearance Saucony Shoes Canada Shop . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No. Saucony Shoes Canada Outlet . 10 Texas Rangers jersey for one last time. Young formally announced his retirement Friday after returning to Rangers Ballpark, his baseball home for all but the last of his 13 major league seasons. http://www.sauconysalecanada.com/ . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. Wholesale Saucony Shoes Canada . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. Saucony Shoes Canada From China . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers coach Ron Rivera said hes involved in ongoing discussions with the NFL and the Players Association about ways to make sure league MVP Cam Newton is given the same protection in the pocket as other smaller quarterbacks.Newton blasted NFL officiating following Sundays game against the Arizona Cardinals after taking a shot to his lower right leg from defensive tackle Calais Campbell as he was releasing the ball. Campbell was not flagged for the hit and the Panthers settled for a short field goal rather than an automatic first down.Newton said after the game, I could have torn my ACL.I would like to see our quarterback get those calls, a calm, but stern Rivera said Monday.Newton said Sunday that officials arent doing enough to protect him and he doesnt feel safe on the field, which is taking the fun out of the game for him.Rivera stood behind his quarterback on Monday, saying Newtons comments are correct and he supports him 100 percent.Rivera reiterated what he said in September after his QB took four helmet-to-helmet hits in a loss to the Denver Broncos -- that Newton doesnt get the calls because of his 6-foot-5, 245-pound frame.When (smaller quarterbacks) get hit, they roll around on the ground. When he gets hit, he absorbs them -- and it doesnt look as bad, Rivera said. ... Its about making sure he is getting the equal treatment he deserves as a quarterback in the pocket.Rivera was criticized for not being more vocal on the sideline and during postgame press conferences about the hits Newton has absorbed.Former NFL coach Tony Dungy said on NBCs Football Night in America on Sunday that Cam should not have to be the one saying this. His head coach, his owner and everybody in the organization should be saying this.Rivera said he doesnt get upset on the sideline because he knows game officials have a difficult job to do and he appreciates meaningful conversations rather than engaging in a shouting match.But Rivera said he has been constantly working behind the scenes with the NFL and the Players Association oon resolving the issue.dddddddddddd. He and general manager Dave Gettleman had another conversation with the league office on Monday morning.This is something I work on every week, quite frankly, Rivera said. I dont talk about it because its between me and the league and this team. This is something that has become public because of Cams statements.Rivera suggested the NFL needs to add an eighth referee to help monitor hits on the quarterback. He said using replay would be a good option for reviewing questionable hits.That is something hes expected to raise in the NFL competition committee meeting next spring. In the meantime, Rivera said hes confident the league and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will do everything they can to protect Newton this season.The league is looking into these things -- and not just for Cam but for all quarterbacks, Rivera said.Newton suggested after the game that he would like to talk personally to Goodell about his concerns.That could happen.The commissioner often speaks to current and former players throughout the year, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email.Newtons comments were a hot topic on sports TV shows.ESPN football analyst and former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb said Monday that he agrees wholeheartedly with Newtons comments.I have been in that situation, McNabb said Monday on ESPN. When you are behind the line of scrimmage, you are a passer. When I am looking to throw the ball down the field and I get ear-holed or if I get hit low, the referee has to throw the flag. Cam is absolutely right -- if Tom Brady gets hit low then they are going to throw a flag.Newton said Sunday that hes tired of officials telling him they missed a call.Enough is enough, Newton said Sunday. I dont know what I have to do. ... I dont think there is a person that can go through what I go through and still keep their head.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '