Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

Atlanta, Ga. -- The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced its 2005-2006 Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA and Junior College/Community College. The awards recognize teams throughout the nation that have the highest grade point averages (GPA) for the 2005-2006 season based upon nominations submitted by WBCA-member coaches.

"It is my pleasure to recognize each of these distinguished women's basketball programs that have gone above and beyond excellence on the court, and have extended it to the classroom," said WBCA Chief Executive Officer Beth Bass. "These 118 teams admirably strive to be successful all-around and we commend their efforts. Congratulations!"

Each of the top ranking institutions have appeared on the WBCA Academic Top 25 Honor Roll as least once in the past six years. The University of Nebraska - Kearney returns to the number one spot for the second time, with the first time in 2003. South Dakota State University finished in a close second last year and has taken the number one seed for the first time. Also finishing at the top spot for the first time are Colorado College, Dana College and Colby Community College. These "classy" teams combine for an average 3.604 GPA for the 2005-2006 season.

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.

NCAA Division I
In his second season at the NCAA Division I level, South Dakota State's Aaron Johnston has already taken over the ranks to top this year's Academic Top 25. After finishing second in 2005, Johnston's team took it one step further to become the number one academic team in the nation not only for NCAA Division I, but they also carried the highest GPA at all levels. The Lady Jacks squad's success in the classroom carried over to the court, as they finished the season with 19 wins and an overall record of 19-9.

"We had a really dedicated team committed to doing both academics and athletics. Being in the top 15 of the WBCA Academic Top 25 is always a goal of ours," Johnston said. "Last year we finished second, so it was a goal to try to improve upon that. The team did a great job!"

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

NCAA Division II
The University of Nebraska - Kearney women's basketball team ranks in the top 10 for the fourth consecutive year, accepting first place for the second time. Head coach Carol Russell is making the yearly appearances in the WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll a tradition for the Lady Lopers. The squad put up impressive numbers in the classroom and on the court, finishing the season 21-8.

"I think it is a testament to the types of kids that we have in our program. They dedicated themselves to really being involved as a student as well as the athlete," Russell said. "I think that is the epitome of the student-athlete on our campus, and I am really proud of their efforts and how hard they have worked."

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

NCAA Division III
Finishing in the top five last year, Colorado College's head coach, Kelly Mahlum, would not settle for less than taking over the top spot on this year's WBCA Academic Top 25. In only their second appearance in the top 25, the Lady Tigers have already proven what it takes to be number one, even with a fairly young team. On the court, this young team finished a commendable 15-10 for the season.

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

NAIA

Due to an appeal from Davenport University the results of the NAIA WBCA Academic Top 25 have changed. The WBCA Board of Directors decided that due to a computer error on the WBCA's end, Davenport University and Dana College will share the top honor this year for NAIA Academic Top 25. The WBCA apologizes for this error and would like to recognize both schools and the achievements they have made in the classroom.

There are no limits to what the women's basketball team at Davenport University could accomplish this past year. The team finished the year with an astounding record of 29-5. Next year's roster is comprised of a very young group, but look for these student-athletes to continue their winning tradition both on and off the court.

The women's basketball team at Dana College has been hitting the books hard for three straight years and finally they top the charts as number one for the 2005-2006 WBCA Academic Top 25 Honor Roll. Posting ranks as 22nd last season and fifth in 2003-2004, Lady Vikings' head coach Brenda Mechels has pushed her team to realize the importance of balancing both academics and athletics.

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

Junior College/Community College
Colby Community College not only appears for the first time on the WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll since 2002, but they take the number one seed. Head coach Tom Stephens takes home the top ranking for the first time and hopes to start a trend with the success. Outside of the classroom, the Lady Trojans won the 2006 Region VI Championship and finished the season with an outstanding overall record of 32-5.

"It was our first year to go to the national tournament and the kids were really focused and had good habits on and off the floor," Stephens said.

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

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.