Sept. 30, 2009

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State's softball team posted the fourth-highest grade point average in NCAA Division II, as released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association earlier this month. GVSU combined to record a 3.525 GPA in the 2008-09 school year and their cumulative grade point average was the seventh highest in all of NCAA (Division I, II, and III).

The NFCA announced the list as the Girls Got Game Top Ten All-Academic Teams, honoring high school and collegiate softball teams for their success in the classroom. Grand Valley State's GPA of 3.525 was behind Ouachita Baptist, who finished first in all divisions with a 3.663 average, as Arkansas-Monticello (3.579) and Barry (3.555) placed second and third, respectively.

Laker head coach Doug Woods is extremely proud of his players' commitment inside the classroom. "It is an amazing accomplishment for our team to finish in the top-10 academically out of all Division II softball programs during both of the past two years," said Woods, whose 2007-08 squad finished second in Division II in GPA. "It reinforces our philosophy that our players understand they are student-athletes and they make sure their priorities are in proper order."