Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association
July 17, 2006
WBCA Manager of Communications
770.279.8027 ext. 112
Davenport University and Dana College will share the top spot for NAIA
Atlanta, Ga. -- The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced its 2005-2006 Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for NAIA with one correction. 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. 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!"
| Division | Institution | 2005-06 Head Coach | GPA | Top 25 Range |
| NCAA I | South Dakota State University | Aaron Johnston | 3.730 | 3.730-3.298 |
| NCAA II | University of Nebraska - Kearney | Carol Russell | 3.663 | 3.663-3.297 |
| NCAA III | Colorado College | Kelly Mahlum | 3.577 | 3.577-3.331 |
| NAIA | Davenport University | Mark Youngs | 3.613 | 3.613-2.991* |
| NAIA | Dana College | Brenda Mechels | 3.585 | 3.613-2.991 |
| JC/CC | Colby Community College | Tom Stephens | 3.458 | 3.458-2.675** |
| * =top 26 range * *=top 17 range |
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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.
NAIA
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:
| School | 2005-2006 Head Coach | Team GPA | |
| T1. | Davenport University | Mark Youngs | 3.613 |
| T1. | Dana College | Brenda Mechels | 3.585 |
| 2. | Westminster College | JD Gustin | 3.577 |
| 3. | Indiana Wesleyan University | Steve Brooks | 3.554 |
| 4. | Briar Cliff University | Pam Gohl | 3.552 |
| 5. | Huntington University | Lori Culler | 3.532 |
| 6. | The Master's College | Ken Sugarman | 3.526 |
| 7. | Mount Marty College | Chuck Iverson | 3.525 |
| 8. | Concordia University - Nebraska | Todd Voss | 3.516 |
| 9. | University of Montana - Western | Kevin Engellant | 3.507 |
| 10. | Freed-Hardeman University | Dale Neal | 3.501 |
| 11. | Hannibal-La Grange College | Tiffany Hill | 3.496 |
| 12. | Georgetown College | Susan Johnson | 3.452 |
| 13 | Campbellsville University | Donna Wise | 3.450 |
| 14. | Northwestern College | Earl Woudstra | 3.440 |
| 15. | Oklahoma Christian University | Stephanie Findley | 3.400 |
| 16. | Olivet Nazarene University | Doug Porter | 3.391 |
| 17. | University of Rio Grande | David Smalley | 3.388 |
| 18. | Doane College | Tracee Fairbanks | 3.376 |
| 19. | Carlow University | John Brown | 3.292 |
| 20. | College of the Ozarks | George Wilson | 3.291 |
| 21. | Lee University | Marty Rowe | 3.271 |
| 22. | Tiffin University | Shannon Potee | 3.250 |
| 23. | Cornerstone University | Carla Fles | 3.141 |
| 24. | Midway College | Timothy Southers | 3.014 |
| 25. | Bethel College (Kansas) | Mark Fox | 2.991 |
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.