WBCA Recognizes Success in the Classroom with Academic Top 25

ATLANTA, Ga. (July 8, 2009) -- The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced its winners for the 2008-09 Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll. 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.

“It is always an honor for the WBCA to recognize these teams for putting together outstanding cumulative grade point averages,” WBCA CEO Beth Bass said.  “We want to congratulate each and every one of these teams for their efforts in the classroom and want them to know that we celebrate their hard work.  My thanks go out to these teams for setting a benchmark of success academically among their peers in the sport.”

Four of the five institutions at the top spot for their division have received distinction on the WBCA Academic Top 25 Honor Roll before. Indiana State claimed the top spot in NCAA Division I for the third time and is making its eighth consecutive appearance in the top 25. In Division II, St. Thomas Aquinas is making its first-ever top 25, while Maryville University of St. Louis (Division III) has appeared four times prior. Dana College is claiming its third No. 1 ranking, while Phoenix College earns its first top position.

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
Indiana State has been a regular fixture on the WBCA Academic Top 25 Honor Roll and returns to the top position for the third time (2005, 2003). All member's of the 2008-09 Sycamore team recorded at least a 3.25 GPA or higher, while six student-athletes boasted perfect 4.0 grade point averages. Indiana State finished the season 14-16 overall (10-8 in MVC): falling to Bradley in the quarterfinals of the MVC Tournament. Junior guard Kelsey Luna, a First Team All-Missouri Valley selection, was named the Prairie Farms Missouri Valley Student-Athlete of the Year, while pacing the squad with 14.5 points per game.

“We are truly honored to receive this award," said Indiana State head coach Jim Wiedie. "I believe it’s a testament to the type of young ladies we recruit at Indiana State, their commitment to academic excellence and the tremendous support they receive from our Academic Services Center. I’m extremely proud of our players for accomplishing their goal of being No. 1.”

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

NCAA Division II
Making its first appearance on the WBCA Academic Top 25, St. Thomas Aquinas had the second-highest team GPA of any division. All 12 of the of the Spartan student-athletes had GPA's of 3.25 or higher during the spring season, while 10 sported GPA's over 3.50. The Spartans ended its season 7-21 overall (4-14 ECC) after falling to regular season champion Queens College in the East Coast Conference Tournament. Briana Sloper was named the ECC Rookie of the Year and earned a spot on the Second Team All-Conference team.

"I am extremely proud of this team for their hard work and dedication on and off the court," Kim Lusk, head coach at St. Thomas Aquinas said.  "There is certainly a strong correlation between their success and the great academic support they receive at St. Thomas Aquinas. Congratulations to all of the award recipients."

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

NCAA Division III
Maryville University-St. Louis had much success on the hardwood this season. The Saints earned their sixth straight regular season championship and fourth consecutive St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Tournament crown. Maryville set the all-time Division III consecutive wins this past season with 92; that streak will end as the squad is reclassifying to Division II. The Saints finished 22-6 overall, 16-0 in SLIAC play, marking its sixth straight undefeated conference season. Maryville's 19-person roster included 14 with a GPA over 3.5 and three with a perfect 4.0.

"I am thrilled for our young women to have achieved the nation's top academic honor in earning the WBCA's No.1 cumulative grade point average," Chris Ellis, head coach at Maryville said.  "As a program,  we have always prided ourselves on the student-athlete concept and this year's team certainly exemplifies that philosophy."

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

NAIA
After turning in the highest GPA in NAIA back-to-back years (2006-2007), Dana College returns to the top with the highest GPA of any division - 3.763. Seven student-athletes on the official roster turned in 4.0 GPA's during the spring semester. The Vikings finished 2008-09 with a 9-20 record.

"I am very proud of our women's basketball team," head coach Shane Larson said.  "Performing well academically was a goal that we set at the beginning of the season, and to do well enough to be the top academic team in the country is truly a great honor.  It shows the commitment our athletes here at Dana have to excellence on the court and in the classroom.  I am very fortunate to work with such an outstanding group of young ladies."

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

Junior College/Community College
Making its third straight appearance in the top 25, Phoenix College boasts seven of 12 student-athletes with grade point average's over 3.5; four of which sported 4.0 GPA's in the spring semester.

"I am proud of the accomplishments of our team this season," head coach Samantha Ezell said. "It is always an honor to be recognized for our hard work in the classroom, and I want to thank the student-athletes for their dedication off the court."

The WBCA Academic Top 20* Team Honor Roll for JC/CC is as follows:

*= Due to the limited number of nominations for junior college and community college, and the GPA requirements, the WBCA has ranked the Top 20 schools.