BREAKING: Five athletic programs from East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) have just been honored with prestigious national academic awards, showcasing their commitment to excellence on and off the field. This announcement, made last week, highlights the remarkable achievements of the Beach Volleyball, Men’s Tennis, Women’s Tennis, Volleyball, and Baseball teams.
These five teams not only excelled in academics but also demonstrated their prowess by competing in post-season national tournaments, with four teams clinching American Southwest Conference (ASC) Championships. The urgency of their achievements is underscored by their impressive team GPA standings.
Here are the remarkable GPAs for each team:
– Beach Volleyball: 3.76
– Women’s Tennis: 3.70
– Volleyball: 3.69
– Men’s Tennis: 3.62
– Baseball: 3.58
The Baseball team, under the leadership of head coach Jared Hood, secured the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Team Academic Excellence award for the 10th consecutive year. This year, they surpassed their previous GPA of 3.39, achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.58. In the ASC, an impressive 35 student-athletes were recognized on the All-Academic team, reflecting their dedication to academic success.
The Men’s Tennis program achieved the ITA All-Academic Team Award for the third year in a row, with nine student-athletes named as ITA Scholar-Athletes. They finished the year with a GPA of 3.62 and celebrated their first ASC Tournament Championship.
To qualify as an ITA Scholar-Athlete, students must achieve a GPA of at least 3.5 and be listed on the institutional eligibility form. The men’s tennis team met these criteria, solidifying their academic prowess.
The Women’s Tennis team celebrated its 10th consecutive year of receiving ITA academic awards, recording a GPA of 3.70 and an astounding 3.78 in the spring semester. Six of its athletes were named ITA Scholar-Athletes, further highlighting the team’s commitment to academic excellence.
In a significant achievement, the Volleyball team secured the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the sixth consecutive year, maintaining a GPA of 3.69 and a spring semester GPA of 3.83. They also made it to the top 20% of NCAA Division III teams in terms of GPA.
The Beach Volleyball team, now in its third year, has also made a mark by achieving a GPA of 3.76 and participating in the AVCA Small College National Tournament.
These accolades not only reflect the dedication of the student-athletes but also the commitment of ETBU to fostering a culture of academic achievement alongside athletic excellence. The latest developments highlight the importance of balancing sports and studies, serving as an inspiration to other programs.
As these teams continue to excel, the ETBU community anticipates their future performances both on the court and in the classroom. With such strong foundations, these athletes are poised for even more success in the upcoming seasons.
Stay tuned for more updates on ETBU’s athletic and academic achievements as they continue to set a high standard for excellence.
