For the fourth time in five years, Newman University athletic programs have been recognized for achieving the highest average student-athlete GPA among all athletic programs in the NCAA Division II Heartland Conference. Newman’s programs combined for a 3.30 grade point average for the 2010-11 academic year.
The Newman women’s teams maintained an impressive 3.46 GPA, while the men’s squads combined for a 3.13 GPA.
Newman beat out Dallas Baptist University, last year’s top program, which finished with a 3.18 combined GPA.
“Overall, the Heartland Conference continues to have a very solid GPA for our student-athletes,” Tony Stigliano, Heartland Conference commissioner, said. “The academic success of our student-athletes, with the ultimate goal of graduation, is the highest priority for our members. While we always work to improve our overall athletic performance, we are very pleased with the combined GPA of our student-athletes and member institutions.”
Newman claimed top academic honors in seven of the 13 sports sponsored by the Heartland Conference. The 2010-11 team winners are as followed:
-Men’s Soccer: Newman (3.15)
-Women’s Soccer: Newman (3.37)
-Volleyball: St. Edward’s (3.40)
-Men’s Cross Country: Newman (3.32)
-Women’s Cross Country: Newman (3.58)
-Men’s Basketball: Texas A&M International (3.10)
-Women’s Basketball: Oklahoma Panhandle State (3.31)
-Men’s Golf: St. Edward’s (3.32)
-Women’s Golf: Newman (3.80)
-Baseball: Texas-Permian Basin (3.30)
-Softball: Newman (3.35)
-Men’s Tennis: Newman (3.39)
-Women’s Tennis: St. Edward’s (3.78)
The Jets have now claimed top GPA honors in four of their five years as members of the Heartland Conference.
