Four GLIAC Women's Basketball Teams Recognized by the WBCA for Academic Excellence

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ATLANTA -- Four women’s basketball teams from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) were recognized by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) by being selected to Division II Academic Top 25 Honor Roll. Ashland University, Michigan Technological University, the University of Findlay, and Northwood University were all cited for their successes in the classroom.

The GLIAC tied with the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), with the most teams, each conference placing four teams on the Honor Roll.

The 2008-09 Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll, 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.

“Having four GLIAC teams honored by the WBCA is phenomenal,” stated Dr. Frederick Finks, Ashland University President and Chairperson of the GLIAC’s Presidents Council. “It goes to the heart of what we are attempting to become, not only one of the best athletic conferences in the country, but also one of the best academic/athletic conferences.”

“The GLIAC is extremely proud of the academic excellence our student-athletes have displayed,” stated Kris Dunbar, Lake Superior State University Director of Athletics and President of the GLIAC’s Executive Council. “Congratulations go out to these strong programs displaying success both on the court and in the classroom.”

The Ashland University women’s basketball team posted a 17-11 overall record last season, including a 13-9 mark in league play, which earned the Eagles the No. 3 seed in the South Division for the GLIAC tournament. Ashland fell to Grand Valley State University in the GLIAC quarterfinals (59-49). The Eagles had five representatives on the GLIAC All-Academic team and their team GPA of 3.647 was the highest in the GLIAC while ranking third in Division II. This marks the second consecutive season that Ashland has made the list, placing 15th after the 2007-08 season.

The Michigan Technological University women's basketball team finished the season at No. 8 in the final WBCA USA Today/ESPN Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll. The Huskies ended the season with a 27-7 record, claiming GLIAC and NCAA Division II Midwest Region championships along the way. MTU fell to Minnesota State Mankato in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Elite Eight championship (61-53), despite having just one senior on the squad. The Huskies placed 10 student-athletes on the GLIAC All-Academic team, which was the highest total of any of the GLIAC women’s basketball teams. Michigan Tech, which also made the list for the second straight season, posted a team GPA of 3.635, the fourth highest in Division II.

The University of Findlay recorded a 14-13 mark during the 2008-09 season while going 9-13 in the GLIAC and just missing out on a GLIAC tournament bid. The Oilers, who had six student-athletes on the GLIAC All-Academic team, posted a team GPA of 3.495, which ranked 13th among Division II teams.

Northwood University went 21-8 last season, reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. The Timberwolves set numerous school records along the way, including most wins in a season and highest winning percentage (.724). NU had seven student-athletes on the GLIAC All-Academic team and tallied the 16th best team GPA in Division II (3.471). This marks the third straight season that Northwood has placed on the Honor Roll.

“We are very proud of the academic performances of these four women’s basketball teams,” stated first-year GLIAC Commissioner, Dell Robinson. “This is an example of academic excellence that is a true model for our conference.”

The 2008-09 WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for NCAA Division II is as follows:

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.