DETROIT -- The 2022-23 Wayne State University women's basketball squad was recognized by the WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association) and given "Special Mention" for posting a team GPA of at least 3.0. The Warriors finished the academic season with a combined GPA of 3.632.
WSU recorded a 3.690 term GPA for the Fall 2022 semester, followed by a 3.574 for the Winter 2023 semester. Nine of the 13 student-athletes earned Warrior Elite status (term GPA 3.5+) for the Fall semester, with three recording a perfect 4.0 term GPA. Nine of the players also garnered Warrior Elite status for the Winter semester, with six notching a perfect 4.0 term GPA.
WBCA Release
ATLANTA -- Robert Morris University, Upper Iowa University, Wartburg College, University of Pikeville and Alpena Community College sit atop their respective divisions in the 2022-23 WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Rolls announced today by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and two-year college women's basketball teams across the nation that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2022-23 season is the 28th in which the WBCA has compiled the honor rolls.
Robert Morris, coached by Charlie Buscaglia, finished first among NCAA Division I members with a 3.807 cumulative team grade-point average. Upper Iowa, coached by Justin Maass, claimed top academic honors in NCAA Division II with a 3.894 GPA. Wartburg, coached by Bob Amsberry, took top honors in NCAA Division III with a 3.872 GPA. Pikeville, coached by Clifton Williams, was No. 1 in the NAIA division with a 3.877 GPA. Alpena, coached by Cynthia DeRocher, finished atop the two-year college standings with a 3.615 GPA.
"The WBCA is pleased to recognize those women's basketball programs that have committed themselves to excellence on the court and in the classroom," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "The teams we honor this year strive to achieve all-around success and we commend their efforts. Congratulations!"
Here are the 2022-23 WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Rolls by division. The head coach listed for each institution was its head coach during the 2022-23 season. Teams having a 3.0 combined GPA and qualifying for consideration in their respective divisions are also listed as special mentions.
NCAA Division II Special Mention: Thomas Jefferson University, Tom Shirley, 3.674; University of Alaska Fairbanks, Amy Donovan, 3.665; Texas Woman's University, Beth Jillson, 3.659; Seattle Pacific University, Mike Simonson, 3.653; Ursuline College, Shannon Sword, 3.648; Pittsburg State University, Amanda Davied, 3.644; Northwood University, Autumn Haggadone, 3.643; St. Thomas Aquinas College, Bill Cleary, 3.642; California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Danelle Bishop, 3.641; Wayne State University (MI), Carrie Lohr, 3.632; Minot State University, Michael Brandt, 3.630; Point Loma Nazarene University, Charity Elliott, 3.629; California State University East Bay, Jenny Thigpin, 3.627; Michigan Technological University, Samantha Clayton, 3.616; Minnesota State University, Emilee Thiesse, 3.606; Oklahoma Baptist University, Bo Overton, 3.600; East Stroudsburg University, Stephanie Del Preore, 3.590; Wingate University, Ann Hancock, 3.589; Seton Hill University, Mark Katarski, 3.577; Winona State University, Ana Wurtz, 3.568; Adelphi University, Sade Jackson, 3.563; Columbus State University, Matt Houser, 3.552; West Liberty University, Kyle Cooper, 3.547; Florida Southern College, Megan Dzikas, 3.547; Harding University, Tim Kirby, 3.520; Northwest Nazarene University, Steve Steele, 3.518; Southern New Hampshire University, Karen Pinkos, 3.516; D'Youville University, Alison Bouman, 3.502; University of Hawaii at Hilo, David Kaneshiro, 3.484; Western Washington University, Carmen Dolfo, 3.455; Biola University, Alan Nakamura, 3.454; Gannon University, Cleve Wright, 3.437; Carson-Newman University, Michael Mincey, 3.432; West Chester University, Kiera Wooden, 3.393; Coker University, Melissa DeVore, 3.383; Davenport University, Shonda Sanders, 3.375; Union University, Mark Campbell, 3.360; Bentley University, Carolyn White, 3.359; California State University Monterey Bay, Sarah Hopkins-Chery, 3.340; Azusa Pacific University, T.J. Hardeman, 3.315; Assumption University, Kerry Phayre, 3.298; Chowan University, Lenise Stallings, 3.273; California State University, Dominguez Hills, John Bonner, 3.224; University of West Florida, Stephanie Yelton, 3.215; California State University, Los Angeles, Torino Johnson, 3.129; California State University, San Bernardino, Casandra Renno, 3.108; University of North Carolina at Pembroke, John Haskins, 3.077; Converse University, Samantha Davidson, 3.065.
A team's GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0) earned by the total number of academic hours attempted by all team members in the academic terms (semesters or quarters) that the season spans. Weighted grades are converted to a 4.0 scale. The GPAs are rounded to the nearest thousandth of a point. Teams are nominated for the honor by the WBCA member head coach. A team must have a 3.000 or better GPA to be nominated.
About the Women's Basketball Coaches Association
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
