By Beth Renkoski

08/01/09

Lions Post 13 NAIA Scholar Teams

Costa Mesa, Calif – Thirteen Vanguard University Athletic Teams met the qualifications to be recognized as NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) Scholar Teams. Announced yesterday by the NAIA, Vanguard University Athletics is proud to announce that among 13 athletic programs with 15 teams, the Lions had 13 teams meet the NAIA’s academic requirements during 2008-09 school year.

For a team to be considered for the NAIA Scholar Team award they must have combined for a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the institution. The team grade point average must include all varsity athletes certified as eligible for the fall and spring semesters of the current academic year.

The NAIA recognized a record number of 837 teams, a 12% increase over last year, receive the award with over 15% of the schools receiving the award averaging a 3.5 GPA or better.  Use the following link to view the entire list of NAIA Scholar Teams from across the nation.

Vanguard Team	Grade Point Average
Women’s Tennis	3.46
Men’s Cross Country	3.46
Men’s Tennis	3.40
Softball	3.34
Women’s Soccer	3.20
Women’s Cross Country	3.12
W’s Indoor Track and Field	3.12
W’s Outdoor Track and Field	3.12
Men’s Soccer	3.09
M’s Indoor Track and Field	3.06
M’s Outdoor Track and Field	3.06
Volleyball	3.02
Women’s Basketball	3.01

Aside from the academic success of the Vanguard teams, the Athletic Department had 24 Lions qualify for individual NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors, which require an accumulative minimum GPA of 3.5 and at least a junior standing academically. The Lions had ten fall-sport athletes (3 Volleyball, 2 Women’s Soccer, 2 Men’s Soccer, 2 Women’s Cross Country, 1 Men’s Cross Country) and 14 spring-sport athletes (5 Softball, 3 Baseball, 2 Men’s Tennis, 1 Women’s Tennis, 2 Women’s Track, 1 Men’s Track) make the Academic All-GSAC and NAIA Scholar-Athlete lists during the 2008-09 school year, matching the program’s total from the year before.