WBCA Recognizes Success in the Classroom with Academic Top 25
ATLANTA - 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.”
| Division | Institution | 2008-09 Head Coach | GPA | Top 25 Range |
| NCAA I | Indiana State University | Jim Wiedie | 3.645 | 3.645-3.308 |
| NCAA II | St. Thomas Aquinas College | Kim Lusk | 3.694 | 3.694-3.371 |
| NCAA III | Maryville University of St. Louis | Chris Ellis | 3.625 | 3.625-3.364 |
| NAIA | Dana College | Shane Larson | 3.763 | 3.763-3.228 |
| JC/CC | Phoenix College | Samantha Ezell | 3.378 | 3.378-3.020* |
| * top 20 range |
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:
| | School | 2008-09 Head Coach | Team GPA |
| 1 | Indiana State University | Jim Wiedie | 3.645 |
| 2 | University of North Dakota | Gene Roebuck | 3.580 |
| 3 | South Dakota State University | Aaron Johnston | 3.571 |
| 4 | Montana State University-Bozeman | Tricia Binford | 3.501 |
| 5 | Bowling Green State University | Curt Miller | 3.470 |
| 6 | University of Northern Iowa | Tanya Warren | 3.437 |
| 7 | Manhattan College | Myndi Hill | 3.432 |
| 8 | Western Carolina University | Kellie Harper | 3.428 |
| 9 | Eastern Washington University | Wendy Schuller | 3.422 |
| 10 | University of New Mexico | Don Flanagan | 3.414 |
| 11 | DePaul University | Doug Bruno | 3.402 |
| 12 | Utah Valley University | Cathy Nixon | 3.390 |
| 13 | Kansas State University | Deb Patterson | 3.374 |
| 14 | Wichita State University | Jody Adams | 3.361 |
| 15 | Lehigh University | Susan Troyan | 3.356 |
| t16 | Saint Bonaventure University | Jim Crowley | 3.353 |
| t16 | Cornell University | Dayna Smith | 3.353 |
| 18 | Villanova University | Harry Perretta | 3.346 |
| 19 | University of Evansville | Misty Murphy | 3.336 |
| 20 | Oakland University | Beckie Francis | 3.323 |
| t21 | Charleston Southern University | Julie Goodenough | 3.320 |
| t21 | Columbia University | Paul Nixon | 3.320 |
| 23 | University of Wisconsin, Green Bay | Matthew Bollant | 3.317 |
| 24 | University of South Dakota | Ryun Williams | 3.311 |
| 25 | University of Hartford | Jennifer Rizzotti | 3.308 |
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:
| | School | 2008-09 Head Coach | Team GPA |
| 1 | St. Thomas Aquinas College | Kim Lusk | 3.694 |
| 2 | Saint Martin's University | Timothy Healy | 3.668 |
| 3 | Ashland University | Sue Ramsey | 3.647 |
| 4 | Michigan Technological University | John Barnes | 3.635 |
| 5 | Abilene Christian University | Shawna Lavender | 3.580 |
| 6 | Seton Hill University | Ferne Labati | 3.567 |
| 7 | West Liberty State College | Lynn Ullom | 3.559 |
| 8 | Rockhurst University | Rebecca Morrisey | 3.545 |
| t9 | Winona State University | Scott Ballard | 3.520 |
| t9 | University of Nebraska-Kearney | Carol Russell | 3.520 |
| 11 | College of Saint Rose | Karen Haag | 3.499 |
| 12 | Gannon University | Cleve Wright | 3.497 |
| 13 | University of Findlay | Kate Cummings | 3.495 |
| 14 | Wayne State College | Chris Kielsmeier | 3.473 |
| 15 | Montana State University-Billings | Kevin Woodin | 3.472 |
| 16 | Northwood University | Jeff Curtis | 3.471 |
| 17 | Truman State University | Michael Smith | 3.461 |
| 18 | Southwest Minnesota State University | Mike Jewett | 3.460 |
| 19 | University of Minnesota-Duluth | Annette Wiles | 3.447 |
| 20 | Regis University | Linda Raunig | 3.412 |
| 21 | Adelphi University | Kelley Watts | 3.403 |
| 22 | Colorado Christian University | Tim Hays | 3.394 |
| 23 | Fort Lewis College | Mark Kellogg | 3.380 |
| 24 | West Texas A&M University | Krista Gerlich | 3.371 |
| 25 | Mars Hill College | Jennifer Nance | 3.366 |
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:
| | School | 2008-09 Head Coach | Team GPA |
| 1 | Maryville University-St. Louis | Chris Ellis | 3.625 |
| 2 | York College | Betsy Witman | 3.624 |
| 3 | Finlandia University | Curtis Wittenberg | 3.592 |
| 4 | College of St. Benedict | Mike Durbin | 3.566 |
| 5 | Calvin College | John Ross | 3.503 |
| 6 | Elms College | Laura Habacker | 3.483 |
| 7 | Simpson College | Brian Niemuth | 3.480 |
| 8 | Messiah College | Michael Miller | 3.469 |
| 9 | Emory University | Christy Thomaskutty | 3.456 |
| 10 | College of Mount St. Joseph | Melanee Atkinson | 3.455 |
| t11 | Centenary College | Lorie Khalil | 3.453 |
| t11 | McDaniel College | Becky Martin | 3.453 |
| 13 | Hope College | Brian Morehouse | 3.447 |
| 14 | Gustavus Adolphus College | Mickey Haller | 3.439 |
| 15 | University of St. Thomas | Ruth Sinn | 3.436 |
| 16 | Muhlenberg College | Ron Rohn | 3.435 |
| 17 | University of the South | Dickie McCarthy | 3.423 |
| 18 | University of Redlands | Rich Murphy | 3.418 |
| 19 | State University | James Seward | 3.414 |
| 20 | Emerson College | Bill Gould | 3.407 |
| 21 | Marymount University | William Finney | 3.392 |
| 22 | Elizabethtown College | Yvonne Kauffman | 3.391 |
| 23 | Chapman University | Carol Jue | 3.379 |
| 24 | Drew University | Gail Gilchrest | 3.371 |
| 25 | University of Wisconsin, Stout | Mark Thomas | 3.364 |
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:
| | School | 2008-09 Head Coach | Team GPA |
| 1 | Dana College | Shane Larson | 3.763 |
| 2 | Oklahoma Christian University | Stephanie Findley | 3.762 |
| 3 | Davenport University | Mark Youngs | 3.663 |
| 4 | Concordia University-Nebraska | Drew Olson | 3.652 |
| 5 | Valley City State University | Jill DeVries | 3.610 |
| 6 | Lewis-Clark State College | Brian Orr | 3.530 |
| 7 | Ohio Dominican University | Nathan Bellman | 3.529 |
| 8 | Blue Mountain College | Lavon Driskell | 3.524 |
| 9 | Saint Xavier University | Robert Hallberg | 3.487 |
| 10 | Northwestern College | Earl Woudstra | 3.477 |
| 11 | Cornerstone University | Carla Fles | 3.474 |
| 12 | Bethel College (IN) | Jody Martinez | 3.466 |
| 13 | University of Rio Grande | David Smalley | 3.419 |
| 14 | University of Montana-Western | Kevin Engellant | 3.396 |
| 15 | Saint Ambrose University | Nathan Altenhofen | 3.386 |
| 16 | Mount Marty College | Tom Schlimgen | 3.344 |
| 17 | Shorter College | Vic Mitchell | 3.323 |
| 18 | Indiana Wesleyan University | Steve Brooks | 3.313 |
| 19 | Carroll College | Shawn Nelson | 3.285 |
| 20 | Montana State University-Northern | Chris Mouat | 3.272 |
| 21 | College of the Ozarks | George Wilson | 3.264 |
| 22 | Eastern Oregon University | Anji Weissenfluh | 3.257 |
| 23 | William Woods University | Dan Chapla | 3.233 |
| 24 | Baker University | Susan Decker | 3.230 |
| 25 | Georgetown College | Susan Johnson | 3.228 |
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:
| | School | 2008-09 Head Coach | Team GPA |
| 1 | Phoenix College | Samantha Ezell | 3.378 |
| 2 | Ventura College | Ned Mircetic | 3.352 |
| 3 | Seward County CC | Toby Wynn | 3.328 |
| 4 | Western Texas College | Tammy Davis | 3.282 |
| 5 | Arizona Western College | Patrick Cunningham | 3.278 |
| 6 | Eastern Arizona Junior College | Dan Dersam | 3.266 |
| 7 | South Plains College | Michelle Wyatt | 3.259 |
| 8 | Dodge City CC | Steve High | 3.257 |
| 9 | Lon Morris College | Rosalyn Floyd Tindel | 3.213 |
| 10 | Lincoln College | Carol Wilson | 3.182 |
| 11 | Kirkwood CC | Kim Muhl | 3.158 |
| 12 | Lewis & Clark CC | Peg Mitchell | 3.157 |
| 13 | Kishwaukee College | Karen Wiley | 3.139 |
| 14 | Gordon College | Jeannine Cavallaro | 3.136 |
| 15 | Johnson County CC | Benjamin Conrad | 3.132 |
| 16 | John Wood CC | Norman Rodriguez | 3.114 |
| 17 | Ellsworth Community College | Ed Geitz | 3.067 |
| t18 | Marshalltown Community College | Larry Roberts | 3.037 |
| t18 | Illinois Central College | Steve Garber | 3.037 |
| 20 | Solano Community College | Matt Borchert | 3.020 |
*= 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.
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.
|
