Lady Penguins post second-best GPA in Division I in 2019-20
The Youngstown State women’s basketball team recorded the second-best grade-point average among all 351 Division I teams during the 2019-20 academic year, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced on Tuesday.
The Penguins posted their highest GPA on record at 3.782, which was just 0.011 behind South Dakota for the top mark in the nation. Youngstown State appeared on the WBCA’s Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons, and the second-place ranking is the highest in program history. No other program has appeared on the prestigious list nine times since 2010-11, and YSU has now been in the top 10 in four of the last five seasons.
"I;m extremely proud of the team, coaches and support staff for being a part of this great achievement," said YSU head coach John Barnes. "There has been a great deal of adversity to fight through since March, and everyone has battled together to stick with our goals and values."
"Hopefully we can all get back to some type of normalcy soon and continue to do great work in the classroom and on the court!"
Youngstown State made its first appearance in the academic top 25 in 2010-11, and it has been on the list each season since except 2013-14. The Penguins were third in 2015-16, sixth in 2011-12, seventh in 2018-19, 10th in 2017-18, 17th in both 2010-11 and 2012-13, 22nd in 2014-15 and 24th in 2016-17.
YSU was one of four Horizon League programs to appear on the Academic Top 25, joining 2019-20 member Green Bay (13th) and new members Robert Morris (third) and Purdue Fort Wayne (23rd).
The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and two-year GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2019-20 season is the 25th in which the WBCA has compiled the honor rolls.
"The WBCA applauds these head coaches and their teams for their commitment to academic excellence," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "We appreciate and value the hard work and dedication the players and coaches have put forth to thrive in the classroom and on the basketball court."
Source: Youngstown State University Press Release
