FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern women's basketball team continued its success on the court in 2016-17 by reaching the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive year. On Wednesday, it was what the Sharks did off the court that made headlines, as head coach LeAnn Freeland's program finished No. 9 among NCAA Division II members in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Top 25 with a collective 3.706 Grade Point Average. The Sharks' ranking is the best within the Sunshine State Conference, with Embry-Riddle being the only other SSC school to be recognized at No. 25.
"Our staff is ecstatic about our No. 9 ranking in the WBCA Academic Top 25," said Freeland. "I believe this is the first time our team has been nationally ranked for academics. Our players are always very dedicated to their academics, but this team was extraordinarily strong in the classroom. When we recruit, we look for true student-athletes, and we make it clear to our players that their academics/career preparation is our number one priority. Congratulations to our 2016-2017 team for their national recognition and for setting the bar even higher academically!"
Emporia State topped Division II with a team GPA just a shade ahead of NSU at 3.744.
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 2016-17 season is the 22nd in which the WBCA has compiled the honor rolls.
"The WBCA family is committed to the student-athlete experience and celebrates these teams that have demonstrated excellence in the classroom," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "This year's WBCA Academic Top 25 is a powerful list of teams and their head coaches who have winning cultures that prepare their student-athletes for success in life."
To stay up-to-date with Freedman and the rest of the NSU women's basketball team, follow the Sharks on Twitter @NSUWBasketball, Instagram @nsuwbasketball and on Facebook /NSUWBasketball.
A complete list of the NCAA Division II academic Top 25 is provided below.
NCAA Division II
| Rank |
Institution |
Head Coach |
GPA |
| 1 |
Emporia State University |
Jory Collins |
3.744 |
| 2 |
Michigan Technological University |
Kimberly Cameron |
3.736 |
| 3 |
Minnesota State University, Mankato |
Emilee Thiesse |
3.728 |
| T4 |
Lubbock Christian University |
Steve Gomez |
3.723 |
| T4 |
Maryville University |
Collin Lanam |
3.723 |
| 6 |
Seton Hill University |
Mark Katarski |
3.722 |
| T7 |
Ohio Dominican University |
Lynsey Warren |
3.717 |
| T7 |
Pittsburg State University |
Lane Lord |
3.717 |
| 9 |
Nova Southeastern University |
LeAnn Freeland |
3.706 |
| 10 |
Grand Valley State University |
Mike Williams |
3.669 |
| 11 |
Northwood University |
Jeff Curtis |
3.664 |
| 12 |
University of Southern Indiana |
Rick Stein |
3.640 |
| 13 |
Fort Hays State University |
Tony Hobson |
3.624 |
| 14 |
Southern New Hampshire University |
Karen Pinkos |
3.602 |
| 15 |
Rockhurst University |
Larry Park |
3.593 |
| 16 |
Augustana University |
Dave Krauth |
3.588 |
| 17 |
University of the Sciences |
Jackie Hartzell |
3.581 |
| 18 |
Saginaw Valley State University |
Jamie Pewinski |
3.576 |
| 19 |
West Texas A&M University |
Kristen Mattio |
3.568 |
| 20 |
Minnesota State University Moorhead |
Karla Nelson |
3.554 |
| 21 |
Western Oregon University |
Holli Howard-Carpenter |
3.539 |
| 22 |
University of Findlay |
Jim Wiedie |
3.537 |
| 23 |
Montana State University Billings |
Kevin Woodin |
3.529 |
| 24 |
Notre Dame College (Ohio) |
Katie Hine |
3.527 |
| 25 |
Embry-Riddle University |
Lisa Nuxol-Wilson |
3.519 |
