KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the 1,677 teams that have earned the distinction for Scholar-Teams for the 2016-17 academic year. Arizona Christian’s women’s cross country team, Indiana Tech’s women’s golf team and Midland’s (Neb.) women’s volleyball team all tied for an NAIA-best combined 3.90 grade point average this year. The three teams have been selected to share the title of Scholar-Team of the Year.
From Southeastern, nine teams were named to this list, led by women’s tennis with a 3.6 team GPA. The Fire finished 12th nationally among all women’s tennis teams.
Women’s cross country was next at 3.59, finishing 25th in their sport, followed closely by women’s golf at 3.55.
Tennis (3.25) and cross country (3.17) were the lone men’s teams recognized.
Women’s basketball (3.47) tied for 21st among Division II honorees nationally. Volleyball (3.43), softball (3.34), and soccer (3.33) on the women’s side rounded out the list.
For a team to be considered for the NAIA Scholar-Team award, it must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the institution. The team grade point average includes all eligible varsity student-athletes.