Iowa Wesleyan Volleyball Named 2009-10 NAIA Scholar Team of the Year

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Iowa Wesleyan volleyball team is the 2009-10 NAIA Scholar-Team of the Year, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced on Tuesday. The Lady Tigers finished in the top spot with a 3.82 grade point average during the 2009-10 academic year. A record total of 857 teams, an increase over last year’s total of 837, received the award. 

Joining Iowa Wesleyan to round out the top five are Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) volleyball (3.81 GPA), Lambuth (Tenn.) women’s soccer (3.78 GPA), Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) women’s tennis (3.77 GPA) and tied for fifth with a 3.76 GPA is Jamestown (N.D.) women’s cross country and Bethel (Kan.) women’s tennis.

Biola (Calif.) and Hastings (Neb.) had the most teams represented by a school (16). Women’s basketball landed in the top spot for total number of scholar teams per sport (78) earning the honor.

Over 14% 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, 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 must include all varsity student-athletes certified as eligible.

Contact Jamie Adams, jadams@naia.org, in the NAIA championships department with any questions.

List of NAIA Scholar Teams: Sorted by GPA (PDF) | Sorted by School (PDF)

About the NAIA

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The Association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.

Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association’s innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves.