STARKVILLE, Miss.— The National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced the 2009 “girls got game” Top Ten All-Academic Teams, based on GPAs submitted for the 2008-09 school year. Through this program, the NFCA honors high school and collegiate softball teams for their success in the classroom.
Barry University was again one of the top teams in NCAA Division II and overall among all colleges. The Bucs finished the academic year with a 3.555 grade point average, placing third among Division II schools and fourth among all colleges. NCAA Division II Ouachita Baptist University topped all four-year schools with a 3.663 GPA, followed by Arkansas-Monticello at 3.579. NCAA Division I Robert Morris University posted a 3.61 mark.
The Bucs have been among the top squads in the country under head coach Danielle Penner. Over her four years, the Bucs have ranked 17th, seventh, 10th and third in NCAA Division II in team grade point average.
“I am very proud of the academic and athletic accomplishments of my players, ” Penner said. “Their strong academic performance demonstrates a commitment to the student-first philosophy prioritized by both Barry University and NCAA Division II. They consistently do a great job of effectively balancing their athletic and educational pursuits. ”
The Bucs compiled their mark while pursuing some very demanding curricula. Eight of the 16 players were enrolled in biology, chemistry or athletic training. Shyla Rider, who was named the Sunshine State Conference and South Region Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year and earned an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship, was a dual major in biology and chemistry as she prepared to go to medical school. Amanda Goelz actually completed her undergraduate degree in athletic training and started her graduate work as part of the university’s seamless program.
Other programs for the team included finance, exercise science (seamless program), criminology, sport management (business minor), physical education, broadcast journalism, and English. Two players, Jessica Bevlin and Grace Collins, were enrolled in the honors program which requires a 3.5 non-weighted GPA and a 1250 two-part SAT score. In fact, the 16 members of the team had an average two-part SAT score of 1110.
This year’s top academic performers in six membership categories (NCAA Divisions I, II, III; NAIA; junior college; and high school weighted and non-weighted) are:
NCAA Division I
1. Robert Morris University, 3.610; 2. Drexel University, 3.527; 3. Indiana State University, 3.523; 4. Tennessee Tech University, 3.509; 5. University of Florida, 3.490; 6. Seton Hall University, 3.485; 7. Kent State University, 3.463; 8. Brown University, 3.462; 9. Western Illinois University, 3.446; 10. University of Alabama, 3.440.
NCAA Division II
1. Ouachita Baptist University, 3.663; 2. University of Arkansas, Monticello, 3.579; 3. Barry University, 3.555; 4. Grand Valley State University, 3.525; 5. Rockhurst University, 3.520; 6. Mercyhurst College, 3.432; 7. Gannon University, 3.425; 8. Augustana College; 3.420; 9. Anderson University, 3.416; 10. Adelphi University, 3.414.
NCAA Division III
1. Emerson College, 3.531; 2. Piedmont College, 3.530; 3 Springfield College, 3.503; 4. Lynchburg College, 3.500; 5. Bowdoin College, 3.494; 6. Otterbein College, 3.484; 7. Pomona-Pitzer Colleges, 3.462; 8. Ithaca College, 3.458; 9. Gettysburg College, 3.395; 10. Kenyon College, 3.390.
NAIA
1. Bethel College, 3.545; 2. Peru State College, 3.486; 3. McKendree University, 3.470; 4. Oklahoma City University, 3.461; 5. Valley City State University, 3.457; 6. Lindenwood University, 3.440; 7. Central Methodist University, 3.427; 8. Saint Xavier University, 3.396; 9. Mount Marty College, 3.392; 10. Vanguard University of Southern California, 3.358.
Junior College
1. Wallace State Community College/Hanceville, 3.733; 2. Sussex County Community College, 3.476; 3. (tie) Barton Community College, 3.455; 3. (tie) Central Community College, 3.455; 5. Iowa Western Community College, 3.422; 6. Miami Dade College, 3.359; 7. Hutchinson Community College, 3.320; 8. Northwest Florida State College, 9. 3.306; Daytona State College, 3.300; 10. South Mountain Community College, 3.267.
High School (weighted):
1. Washburn Rural High School, 4.269; 2. Alexander Central High School, 4.260; 3. Splendora High School, 4.239; 4. Lincoln Southwest High School, 4.193; 5. East Surry High School, 4.042; 6. West Chester East High School, 4.031; 7. Yorktown High School, 4.021; 8. Blythewood High School, 4.015; 9. Adlai E. Stevenson High School, 3.993; 10. Berea High School, 3.910.
High School (non-weighted):
1. (tie) Hopkins High School, 3.812; 1. (tie) Madison County High School, 3.812; 3. Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, 3.777; 4. Stephen Decatur High School, 3.742; 5. Allen County - Scottsville High School, 3.731; 6. Jefferson Co High School, 3.723; 7. Joaquin High School, 3.702; 8. Plainedge High School, 3.700; 9. Seymour High School, 3.693; 10. Van High School, 3.690.
