Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

ATLANTA - The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced its winners for the 2007-08 Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll Monday. This award, given in NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA and Junior College/Community College, awards teams throughout the nation that carry the highest grade point averages (GPA) for the entire season based on the nomination submitted by WBCA-member head coaches.

"I would like to say congratulations to each and every one of these teams for producing some impressive cumulative grade point averages," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "These numbers would be notable for one student-athlete alone, but for an entire team to compile overall GPAs such as this is truly remarkable. I tip my hat to these programs and wish continued success both on and off the court."

All five institutions are no stranger to the WBCA Academic Top 25 Honor Roll as each one has received distinction on this list before. South Dakota State claimed the top spot in NCAA Division I for the third consecutive year while South Dakota, in NCAA Division II, and Concordia University (Wisconsin), in NCAA Division III, are claiming the No. 1 ranking in each one's respective division for the first time. In the NAIA ranks, Concordia University - Nebraska takes home the highest GPA for the seventh time (2000-05, 2008) since this award began in 1998. Seward County has also enjoyed the poll position in its division (JC/CC) prior to this year claiming top honors in 2001 and 2002.

GPAs are calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by each student-athlete on an institution's roster in the given academic terms by the total number of hours earned by the team. The GPAs are rounded to the nearest thousandth of a point. Per a motion passed by the WBCA Board of Directors in 2007, teams making the list of Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll must obtain at least a 3.000 overall GPA.

NCAA Division I
South Dakota State is making quite a name for itself on the WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll as the Jackrabbits secured the top spot amongst NCAA Division I institutions for the third consecutive season. In addition to compiling the top GPA in their division, Aaron Johnston's team also claims the top overall team GPA amongst all divisions which is yet another distinction they have captured for the third year in a row. Aside from its classroom successes, South Dakota State also enjoyed another great year on the court as the Jackrabbits advanced to the Women's NIT before falling in the first round to Creighton.

"The women on our team have made our entire university and community very proud," said Johnston. "They have truly committed themselves to success in the classroom, on the court and in the community. Being recognized for the top GPA the third consecutive year is a tremendous accomplishment for our student-athletes."

The WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for NCAA Division I is as follows:

NCAA Division II
South Dakota caps off an already impressive 2007-08 season with its first WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll win. Head Coach Chad Lavin, who has since retired after 14 years at the helm, led his Coyotes to the NCAA Division II National Championship game and finished the season with a 33-2 record. Lavin and senior guard Jeana Hoffman were both previously honored by the WBCA with the RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA Division II National Coach of the Year award and State Farm Coaches' All-America Team distinction, respectively.

"What an outstanding accomplishment by Chad Lavin and his team," said Ryun Williams, who takes over the reins at South Dakota following Lavin's retirement. "This team had the total student-athlete package. Receiving this academic honor as well as playing in the NCAA Division II Championship game caps off an outstanding season on the floor and in the classroom. This honor is a direct reflection of the great academic and administrative support our student-athletes receive here at the U."

The WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for NCAA Division II is as follows:

NCAA Division III
As with South Dakota, Concordia University (Wisconsin) is making its debut at the No. 1 position on the WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll. The Falcons claimed back-to-back Northern Athletic Conference regular season titles and made a run at the tournament title this season, but fell short losing by just two points in overtime. Head Coach Stacey Brunner's club finished the season with 20 wins and just seven losses.

"This is an outstanding accomplishment," said Brunner. "Like so many universities, we strive to be No. 1 off the court as well as on! I am so proud of our players for reaching this goal!"

The WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for NCAA Division III is as follows:

#Due to a computer error, these institutions were left off the initial WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll.

NAIA
Making an impressive seventh appearance in the top spot for the NAIA division is Concordia University - Nebraska. The Bulldogs certainly proved they could excel in the classroom with an overall GPA of 3.667, but this team also produced on the court. Head Coach Drew. R. Olson's squad finished the season at 26-7 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NAIA Division II National Championship.

"It is a great honor to receive this high academic award," said Concordia University - Nebraska Head Coach Drew R. Olson. "I am proud of this team and what they accomplished. They were extremely committed and disciplined to the idea of student-athlete along with having their priorities in order: God, family, school, basketball, others. It was a great season; successful on the court and in the classroom."

The WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for NAIA is as follows:

#Due to a computer error, this institution was left off the initial WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll.

Junior College/Community College
Seward County returns to the No. 1 position in the JC/CC division after claiming top honors in both 2001 and 2002. This season, the Lady Saints advanced to the quarterfinals in Region VI for the 16th straight season and also recorded their 16th consecutive 20+ win season. Seward County finished the year strong winning 11 of its last 13 contests for an overall record of 23-9.

"First I would like to say thank you to the WBCA from Seward County Community College for all the work you do in supporting academics in women's basketball," said Toby Wynn, head coach of Seward County Community College. "We are very honored to receive this award from the WBCA for being the top academic team in the JC/CC division. I would also like to say thank you to all the administration and faculty here at Seward County for we have some of the best people in the counry here. Finally, a big thank you to all of our student-athletes who made this happen with all of their hard work and for understanding the value of going to class every day and taking care of their studies."

The WBCA Academic Top 17* Team Honor Roll for JC/CC is as follows:

About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) promotes women's basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game in all of its aspects as a sport for women and girls. For more information about the WBCA, please visit wbca.org.