July 31, 2009

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Park (Mo.) University women’s golf team is the 2008-09 NAIA Scholar Team of the Year, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced on Friday. The program, under the direction of head coach Kelly DeFeo, finished in the top spot with a 3.97 grade point average during the 2008-09 academic year. A record total of 837 teams, a 12% increase over last year, received the award.

Joining Park University to round out the top five include McKendree (Ill.) University women’s tennis (3.92), Dordt (Iowa) College women’s tennis (3.87), Oklahoma Wesleyan University women’s cross country (3.87) and Friends (Kan.) University men’s tennis (3.86). The College of Idaho had the most teams represented by a school (19) and volleyball landed in the top spot for total number of scholar teams per sport (92). Over 15% of the schools receiving the award had a 3.5 or higher grade point average.

For a team to be considered for the NAIA Scholar Team award, they must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the institution. The team grade point average must include all varsity athletes certified as eligible.

If you have questions regarding the NAIA Scholar Team award contact Ruth Stein, NAIA manager of championship sports, at rstein@naia.org.

2008-09 NAIA Scholar Teams sorted by grade point average | school (PDF) (lists updated on 9/2/09)