July 10, 2007
NEW ORLEANS -
The Illinois State women's track and field team was named to the 2007 U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division I Women's All-Academic Indoor and Outdoor Teams, as announced by the USTFCCCA on Monday.
The 2006-07 Redbird women's track and field team had an overall 3.2 grade-point average. Senior Maureen Nelligan, Morgan Schaefer, and Suzy Turner contributed with 4.0 spring-semester GPA's.
Other outstanding academic performances came from Devon Williams (3.50), Anna Lovell (3.00) and Kyndra Curtin (3.25).
Head Coach Elvis Forde was proud of the women's team's academic efforts and believes that this is an example of how committed they are to succeed in their careers once they finish at ISU.
"I think that we have some very bright women here," said Forde. "I believe that the women see their opportunity here at Illinois State as an opportunity to foster their education and continuing as athletes."
Forde also commented on the success of the student-athletes achieving 4.0 GPA's and the 2007 incoming freshmen.
"Suzy (Turner) is very studious and often stays up late at night doing school work," said Forde. "Maureen (Nelligan) graduated and will move successfully into teaching and Morgan (Schaefer) is only a freshman, but is also very studious and a bright young woman. I believe that the class that we are bringing in this year is very studious as well."
llinois State is among 97 other Division I women's programs recognized as the 2007 All-Academic Track and Field Teams. It is also one of five other Missouri Valley Conference teams (Bradley, Southern Illinois, Drake, and Indiana State) to be named to the all-academic squads.
The selection of the USTFCCCA All-Academic Indoor and Outdoor Teams of the Year award is based on a combination of athletic and academic achievements. The top honor goes to the team that has the best finish at the Division I Indoor and or Outdoor National Championships and that also hold the highest cumulative GPA. This year's highest honor went to, Division I Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Champions, Arizona State University (3.130).
To be nominated, the team must carry a minimum 3.00 GPA.
