WBCA Recognizes Success in the Classroom with Academic Top 25

by Jessica Pare, WBCA

ATLANTA -- July 14, 2008 -- 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."

Division      Institution                                          2007-08 Head Coach       GPA                 Top 25 Range
NCAA I      South Dakota State University             Aaron Johnston                  3.669                3.669-3.278
NCAA II     University of South Dakota                  Chad Lavin                         3.649                3.649-3.385
NCAA III    Concordia University (Wisconsin)        Stacey Brunner                   3.637                3.637-3.375
NAIA          Concordia University - Nebraska         Drew R. Olson                   3.667                3.667-3.227
JC/CC         Seward County Community College     Toby Wynn                        3.560                3.560-3.011*
*=top 17 range

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 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:

          School                                                        2007-08 Head Coach      Team GPA
1        University of South Dakota                          Chad Lavin                        3.649
2        Michigan Technological University               John M. Barnes                 3.639
3        Seton Hill University                                    Ferne Labati                      3.591
4        University of Nebraska - Kearney               Carol Russell                     3.590
5        West Texas A&M University                      Krista L. Gerlich                3.557
6        Regis University                                          Linda Raunig                     3.528
7        Rockhurst University                                   Rebecca D. Morrisey        3.526
8        Saint Martin's University                              Timothy J. Healy                3.515
9        Gannon University                                       Cleve Wright                     3.508
10      Southwest Minnesota State University         Mike Jewett                      3.494
11      Shepherd University                                    Jodie A. Runner                 3.488
12      West Liberty State College                          Lynn Ullom                        3.481
13      Minnesota State University, Moorhead        Karla Nelson                     3.476
14      University of North Dakota                         Gene Roebuck                  3.474
15      Ashland University                                      Sue Ramsey                      3.439
16      Clarion University                                        Gie Parsons                       3.420
T17    Abilene Christian University                         Shawna L. Lavender          3.413
T17    Winona State University                              Scott Ballard                     3.413
19      Seattle Pacific University                             Julie Van Beek                  3.412
20      Bemidji State University                              Mike Curfman                   3.406
21      Montana State University - Billings              Kevin Woodin                   3.405
22      Franklin Pierce University                            Mark Swasey                    3.399
23      Northwood University                                 Jeff Curtis                          3.398
24      Colorado Christian University                   Kristen Buckley                    3.396
25      University of Findlay                                    Kate Cummings                 3.385