2010 Gladiator SGI/NFHCA Division II National Academic Team Awards

CHANDLER, Ariz. – The Slippery Rock University field hockey team led the nation with a collective grade point average of 3.55 for the fall semester, earning Gladiator by SGI/National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Academic Team honors in a release from the NFHCA Tuesday.

“This team truly exemplifies what it means to be student-athletes,” said head coach Julie (Zoolkoski) Swiney. “They consistently make Slippery Rock University proud on and off of the field and this award gives them some much-deserved recognition.”

The Rock's GPA was also the second highest in all NCAA divisions, trailing only Division III Worcester State College's 3.57 team GPA. Last season, SRU was tied for second in Division II after compiling a team GPA of 3.38.

"We are extremely proud of our women's field hockey student-athletes with their accomplishments in the classroom,” said Director of Athletics Paul Lueken. “This type of performance combined with a much improved year on the field is testament to their dedication in moving our women's field hockey program in a very positive direction."

The National Academic Team award recognizes the institutions that earned at least a 3.0 GPA through the first half of the 2010-11 academic year.

Also representing the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference with National Academic Team honors Tuesday were C.W. Post, Mercyhurst, East Stroudsburg, Bloomsburg, Indiana (Pa.), Millersville and Shippensburg.

Slippery Rock finished the season with an overall record of 6-14 and a PSAC-West mark of 3-5. The six wins were the most for The Rock since 1998.