The National Field Hockey Coaches Association has announced its 2008 Division I National Academic Team Award recipients, and coach Dawn Callahan's Missouri State team is one of just 65 squads nationally to earn the award.
The National Academic Team Award recognizes those institutions that achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 during the first semester of the 2008-09 academic year. Missouri State compiled a 3.05 team grade point average this season with 10 players earning a 3.0 GPA or better during the fall semester.
Three players -- Kelly Irwin (So., Bexley, Ohio, Psychology), Ramie Masters (Fr., Huntington Beach, Calif., Undecided), and Lori Sinclair (Fr., St. Louis, Mo., Nursing) -- earned perfect 4.0 grade point averages this fall. All told, 13 Bears have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater.
"We are proud of our young ladies' accomplishments and their continued success in the classroom," said Callahan. "These ladies strive to do their best both on and off the field, and it is nice that they are recognized by NFHCA for their academic achievements."
The NFHCA will recognize its individual Division I National Academic Squad in early March.
Missouri State is coming off a 6-15 season in 2008 and will depart with just three senior players as it looks ahead to its 2009 campaign.
