Rutgers roundup The National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) has recognized the RutgersAthletics programas amember of its OutreachHonorRoll andDegreeCompletion HonorRoll for its outstanding programs, and dedication to its student-athletes and surrounding communities in the 2006-07 academic year. Each summer, NCAS member institutions provide statistics outlining their athletic department's time and impact in the community, as well as the number of student athletes they provide tuition assistance to after athletic eligibility has expired in order to assist their degree completion and graduation. Based on the data collected, honor rolls are compiled recognizing the top 15-20 percent of the NCAS membership. Rutgers was rated No. 11 nationally for its Outreach Program, having worked with and donated game tickets to 20,000 youths in the New Brunswick/Piscataway area in 2006-07.Additionally, Rutgers was cited with 16 student-athletes kept on scholarship after their athletic eligibility expired or who were allowed to return to school after previously leaving. The NCAS was established in 1985 by Dr. Richard E. Lapchick in response to the need to "keep the student in student-athlete." NCAS member institutions have proven to be effective advocates for balancing academics and athletics. By joining the NCAS, a college or university agrees to bring back, tuition-free, their former student-athletes who competed in revenue- and nonrevenue-producing sports and were unable to complete their degree requirements. In exchange, these former student-athletes agree to participate in school outreach and community service programs addressing social issues of America's youth.