Upstate Softball Ranked 14th In Nation For Academics
9/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sept. 29, 2009
Spartanburg, S.C. - USC Upstate softball has been recognized for its strength on the field, but the Spartans have proven to be just as solid in the classroom as Upstate was ranked 14th among all NCAA Division I softball programs with a 3.401 GPA for the 2008-09 academic year, announced the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Monday.
"We pride ourselves on having a well-rounded softball program, one that emphasizes a commitment to not only being the best softball player you can be, but being the best student you can be," said Hawkins, a member of the Upstate Athletics Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a baseball player at the University from 1986-87. "I have always believed that discipline is a key component of success, whether it is on the field, in the classroom or in everyday life. The academic accomplishments of the softball program illustrate a commitment of our players to work hard in all facets of their college experience. I am proud of our players for the extraordinary work they put in on and off the field."
In addition to the No. 14 national ranking, Upstate can also claim the top spot among all A-Sun schools with its lofty GPA. Campbell was the second-highest A-Sun school on the list at No. 45 with a 3.266 GPA. Stetson was the third-highest A-Sun school and final in the Top 100 at No. 83 with a 3.116 GPA. Robert Morris took the top spot with a 3.610 GPA for the year.
Upstate, now in its third year playing on the Division I level, has had tremendous success on and off the field. The softball team finished the 2008 fall semester with a 3.71 GPA, the highest in program history and tops among the other athletic programs at Upstate. The Spartans finished with a 3.331 GPA in the spring while working towards a 29-16 overall record. In addition to the No. 14 academic ranking by the NFCA, Upstate softball had 16 players earn A-Sun All-Academic honors with three student-athletes - Melissa Lockey, Keri Sarratt and Courtney Tate - earning perfect 4.0 GPAs for the spring semester.
The academic excellence achieved in 2008-09 is nothing new for the softball program. The program, under the leadership of Hawkins, has historically been one of the top performing teams at the University. The team has posted a GPA over 3.0 in eight of the last 10 semesters, including each of the last six semesters which encompasses the Division I era at Upstate.
Off the field, Upstate has been equally as strong. The Spartans won a share of the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season championship in 2008, the Spartans' first year playing on the Division I level and finished a solid fifth last season. Prior to making the transition to Division I in the fall of 2007, Upstate made four-straight appearances in the NCAA Division II National Tournament from 2004-07.
