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Women's Basketball Lead WBCA in Division III G.P.A.

Aug 2, 2016

ATLANTA (August 2, 2016) — St. Francis College Brooklyn, Upper Iowa University, University of Dubuque, Mount Marty College and Northwest College sit atop their respective divisions in the 2015-16 WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Rolls announced today by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. 

St. Francis Brooklyn, coached by John Thurston, finished first among NCAA Division I members with a 3.712 cumulative team grade-point average. Upper Iowa, coached by Carol Russell, led NCAA Division II members with a 3.731 GPA. University of Dubuque, coached by Mark Noll, took top honors in NCAA Division III with a 3.685 GPA. Mount Marty, coached by Tom Schlimgen, was No. 1 in the NAIA division with a 3.828 GPA. And Northwest College, coached by Janis Beal, led all junior/community college members with a 3.575 GPA. 

"By accomplishing this wonderful honor shows the quality of student-athletes we have here at UD," commented head coach Mark Noll. "Last year we finished third and I thought our young ladies did a tremendous job in the classroom and on the court, but to move up to be the top in NCAA Division III is pretty amazing."

The WBCA Academic Top-25 recognizes NCAA Division I, II and III; NAIA and junior/community college women’s basketball teams across the nation that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2015-16 season is the 21st in which the WBCA as compiled the honor rolls. 

“Congratulations to each of the teams recognized in the 2015-16 WBCA Academic Top 25,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. “Their head coaches are to be commended for fostering an environment of excellence for their student-athletes both on the court and, more importantly, in the classroom."

Here are the 2015-16 WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Rolls by division. The head coach listed for each institution was its head coach during the 2015-16 season.

NCAA Division III