Jan. 11, 2007

Fort Wayne, IN- In August, IPFW Student-Athletes learned that they were to become members of the Mid-Continent Conference. This Fall, they accomplished a record-setting performance in the classroom, combining to post a school record 3.1 (of a possible 4.0) Grade Point Average.

The 3.1 GPA surpasses the record 3.03 cumulative mark compiled by IPFW Student-Athletes last spring.

The 2006 Fall Semester marks the seventh consecutive semester that IPFW Student-Athletes have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or better.

"Our Student-Athletes have responded to conference affiliation by achieving unparalleled success in the classroom," said IPFW Director of Athletics Mark A. Pope.

"These academic accomplishments reflect the commitment of these extremely talented young people to excel as both students and as athletes. Our coaches and the staff of the Student-Athlete Services Team have been essential to our continuing efforts to maintain my stated goal of a 3.0 GPA and ensure that every Student-Athlete achieves our ultimate goal of graduation."

A record 14 of IPFW's 16 sports teams recorded team grade point averages of 3.0 or higher this fall, led once again by the Women's Cross Country Team with a semester mark of 3.45.

The top Men's team was Men's Golf, with a 3.38.

Individually, 136 of IPFW's 210 Student-Athletes compiled a semester GPA of 3.0 or better this fall, with 24 individuals coming in with a perfect 4.0 mark for the term.

IPFW's Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Elliott Blumenthal said that academic success, like conference affiliation, was the result of a team effort.

"It all starts with the Student-Athletes, but we have a very hard-working and dedicated SAS Team, as well as coaches who stress academics every day," Blumenthal said.

"We have also received great support from our faculty and so many other offices throughout campus. It truly is a group effort and it's great to see those efforts rewarded."

All but one of IPFW's teams will start play in the Mid-Continent Conference starting in August.

That one exception is Men's Volleyball, which starts play this weekend and will continue to play in the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA). Coach Arnie Ball's Volleydons are currently ranked #7 in the nation, and were chosen by their peers to win the MIVA.

~Dons~