Cougar Cross-Country Teams Earn Academic Honor
2/24/2011
Concordia University Chicago's 2010 men's and women's cross-country teams have been named as NCAA Division III All-Academic Teams by the United States Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). It is the second consecutive year that the Cougar women have earned the award while it is the first time for the men.
The award is given to teams with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.10 on a 4.0 scale. In addition, each team must have had at least five runners compete and finish at its respective NCAA regional championship. Concordia's nine men earned a combined 3.17 GPA, and the 11 Cougar women collectively earned a 3.11 GPA.
Concordia's men were one of 125 national Division III teams and one of four Northern Athletics Conference team to win this year's award. The Cougar women were among 167 national Division III teams and one of five NAC teams honored.
“I am very proud of our teams for showing such hard work and dedication, not only in their athletic performances but also in their academic studies throughout the fall semester which in reality is our top priority,” said Dave Risch, Concordia's cross-country head coach of 15 years. “This is the first time that both the men's and women's teams have qualified for this distinguished award, which speaks to the true focus of these student-athletes as students first and foremost.”