Tech softball team posts best grades in all of Division I
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Placing three players on the Academic
All-District team, 15 members of the squad earning a spot on the
OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll including three Medal of Honor
winners, and claiming the OVC Team Academic Award should have been
pretty good indicators that the Tennessee Tech softball team was
doing well in the classroom.
Just how well? Better than any other Division I team in the
country.
When the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced
the "Girls Got Game" Top Ten All-Academic Teams Tuesday, based on
GPAs submitted for the 2007-2008 school year, coach Tory Acheson's
Golden Eagles ranked No. 1.
"When we recruit kids, they know right up front that academic
success is one of this program's highest priorities," Acheson said.
"We give them the opportunity to develop into the very best they
can be, in every phase of their lives, and that includes success in
the classroom.
"To be ranked No. 1 in Team GPA is a testament to how hard each of
our players works," he said. "It's also a reflection of the
tremendous support they receive from the university, from Dr. Lance
Jasitt and his staff, and from the entire Athletics
administration."
Acheson gave credit to Dr. Jasitt's role as Assistant Athletic
Director for Academics and Student Welfare.
"You cannot underestimate the impact Dr. Jasitt played on the team
receiving this honor," Acheson said. "His willingness to help
strong students become great students is reflected in the team's
high overall GPA."
Through this program, the NFCA honors high school and collegiate
softball teams for their success in the classroom.
Tennessee Tech University turned in the top GPA in Division I,
Grand Valley State had the highest mark in Division II, and
Macalester College holds the top team GPA in Division III.
Wallace-Hanceville, the NJCAA Division I National Champions for
2008, led the way among junior college programs with the top
GPA.
During the 2007-08 academic year, Kristyn Castonzo, Beth Boden and
Stephanie Fisher all earned Academic All-District honors. When the
OVC announced Medal of Honor winners for the highest GPA in each
sport, the softball winners included Tech's Taylor Horseman, Landry
Moore and Katie Speiser. The OVC Honor Roll included 15 Golden
Eagles: Katie Betry, Beth Boden, Kristyn Castonzo, Lacie
Coquerille, Stephanie Fischer, Amanda Glover, Taylor Horseman,
Whitney Landrum, Meghan Maynard, Cynthia Medley, Landry Moore,
Blaes Schmissrauter, Maddie Schmissrauter, Katie Speiser and Anna
Zdroik.
"Tennessee Tech takes the term student-athlete very seriously, and
over the past several years none of our teams has done a better job
than our softball team," said Mark Wilson. "They have not only been
successful on the field, they have also achieved academically. It's
a tribute to the great work of our student-athletes and coaches,
and our academic support provided by Dr. Jasitt and his staff."
NCAA Division I Top 10 Team GPA
1. Tennessee Tech University, 3.540
2. Gardner-Webb University, 3.478
3. Seton Hall University, 3.450
4. Southern Illinois University, 3.447
5. DePaul University, 3.429
6. Saint Louis University, 3.428
7. University of Evansville, 3.420
8. Mississippi State University, 3.414
University of South Carolina, 3.414
10. Bucknell University, 3.402.
