Detroit, Cleveland State softball programs named to NFCA Top Ten All-Academic list

Oct. 11, 2005

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INDIANAPOLIS- Two Horizon League softball teams were named to the All-Academic Top Ten by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association as announced Monday, Oct. 10.

The University of Detroit Mercy posted the highest grade point average in the country among NCAA Division I universities with a cumulative GPA on 3.591 on a 4.00 scale. NAIA leader Iowa Wesleyan College posted the nation's highest GPA for all levels with a 3.650 average. Lynn University topped NCAA Division II at 3.552, while Hartwick College paced Division III with a 3.596 cumulative mark.

The top ranking marked the fifth straight year the Detroit softball program has ranked in the top five in terms of its classroom work. The Titans, led by head coach Bob Wilkerson, also earned the top ranking in 2002.

Cleveland State University joined Detroit as the third-ranked program on the list, garnering a 3.533 cumulative average throughout the last academic year. Saint Louis University was second with a 3.544 GPA, followed by Cleveland State and St. Bonaventure University in fourth at 3.528. Seton Hall University rounded out the top five with a 3.490 average.

In addition to the national ranking, both Detroit and Cleveland State boasted three honorees on the 2005 Spring Academic All-Horizon League Team. All three honorees (Grace Luginbuhl, Shannon Graves and J.J. Thornberry) return this season for the Vikings, while Sarah Dickey and Lindsay Roy return for the Titans. 2005 Detroit graduate Anna Ollgaard also was selected to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team.

NFCA All-Academic Top Ten

1. University of Detroit Mercy....3.591
2. Saint Louis University.........3.544
3. Cleveland State University.....3.533
4. St. Bonaventure University.....3.528
5. Seton Hall University..........3.490
6. Eastern Michigan University....3.461
7. Bradley University.............3.458
8. Iona College...................3.452
9. Indiana State University.......3.428
10. Southern Illinois University..3.415