Thursday, June 14, 2007

June 14, 2007

Macon, Ga. - The Atlantic Sun Conference continues its tradition of athletic and academic excellence with over half of its student-athletes reaching all-academic status. A total of 58.6 percent of the conference's student-athletes who participated during the 2006-07 season earned a 3.0 or better.

Gardner-Webb University claims the All-Academic trophy for first time, ending Belmont's run of winning at five consecutive years. The award is given annually to the conference school with the greatest percentage of student-athletes receiving a 3.0 or higher during their primary season of competition. The Boiling Springs, N.C., based school had 65.32 percent of its student-athletes honored.

Belmont narrowly missed topping Gardner-Webb for its sixth trophy in a row with 63.96 percent of its student-athletes earning the honor. North Florida had the most honorees, with 163 student-athletes making the grade. Lipscomb placed third, with 60.08 percent, Jacksonville fourth at 59.39 percent and the Ospreys rounded out the top five with 59.27 student-athletes receiving honors.

Atlantic Sun Women's Golf had the highest percentage for an individual sport of student-athletes receiving All-Academic honors at 76.71 percent. Women's Cross Country finished just behind at 75.47 percent. The men were led by Tennis at 72.29 percent.

All-academic honors go to student-athletes who earn a minimum of 3.0 during their semester of competition. The student-athlete must participate in a conference sponsored sport and be on the team's final squad list.

The 12-member league headquartered in Macon, Ga., consists of Belmont, Campbell, ETSU, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, UNF and Stetson with Florida Gulf Coast and USC Upstate beginning competition in 2007-08.

2006-07 Atlantic Sun Academic Results

1 Gardner-Webb
Total Honorees=162
Total Student Athletes=248
Final Percentage=65.32%

2 Belmont
Total Honorees=142
Total Student Athletes=222
Final Percentage=63.96%

3 Lipscomb
Total Honorees=149
Total Student Athletes=248
Final Percentage=60.08%

4 Jacksonville
Total Honorees=117
Total Student Athletes=197
Final Percentage=59.39%

5 UNF
Total Honorees=163
Total Student Athletes=275
Final Percentage=59.27%

6 Mercer
Total Honorees=116
Total Student Athletes=203
Final Percentage=57.14%

7 Campbell
Total Honorees=121
Total Student Athletes=218
Final Percentage=55.50%

8 Stetson
Total Honorees=112
Total Student Athletes=204
Final Percentage=54.90%

9 Kennesaw State
Total Honorees=113
Total Student Athletes=210
Final Percentage=53.81%

10 ETSU
Total Honorees=102
Total Student Athletes=195
Final Percentage=52.31%

Totals
Honorees=1297
Student Athletes=2220
Final Percentage=58.42%