Issued: August 5, 2003

VOLLEYBALL EARNS AVCA TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The UW-Eau Claire volleyball team was one of 102 college volleyball programs to receive the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award, it was announced by AVCA director of events and awards Jennifer Scheibler.

The breakdown of all 102 college teams included 35 NCAA Division I programs, 18 NCAA Division II programs, 26 NCAA Division III programs, 15 NAIA programs, one NCCAA institution and seven two-year college programs.

Historically, schools from 49 states and two countries (outside the United States) have won the award. For 2002-03, the award-winning programs represent 42 states and Korea. Wisconsin boasts the most schools having earned the designation with 37 in the 11-year history of the program and 15 this year.

"The AVCA Team Academic Award captures the true essence of the student-athlete and the AVCA is honored to recognize these schools for the excellence in the classroom," Katherine, McConnell, AVCA executive director said. "We are especially pleased to bestow this prestigious award to a record number of teams for the second year in a row."

The award, initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors college and high school teams that displayed excellence in the classroom by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average on a 4.0 scale and a 4.10 cumulative on a 5.0 scale during the school year. Nominating head coaches must be AVCA members.