PEORIA, Ill. -- For the eighth consecutive year, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has recognized the academic achievements of the Bradley softball team, naming the Braves one of the organization's 2011-12 All-Academic Teams. In addition, BU had 10 individuals earn Division I All-American Scholar-Athlete honors according to the NFCA.
Bradley ranked 32nd in the country with a 3.355 grade point average for the 2011-12 school year and was one of four Missouri Valley Conference teams to rank in the top 40 in the nation. The Braves ranked 23rd among NCAA Division I teams in 2010-11 and have been in the top 30 in the country in four of the last eight years. Robert Morris had a 3.6097 GPA to take top national honors.
A total of 10 Bradley players earned NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete recognition, posting a 3.50 grade point average or higher for the 2011-12 academic year. All 19 team members earned a spot on the Bradley Athletic Director's Honor Roll in the Spring 2012 semester, with 12 individuals boasting a 3.0 grade point average or better both semesters last year.
Junior Mariah Cole (Springfield, Ill./Catham Glenwood) earned honorable mention MVC Scholar-athlete recognition and boasts a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average. Junior Bailiegh Basham (Mattoon, Ill./Mattoon/Lake Land C.C.) also owns a 4.0 cumulative grade point average to help highlight the list of 10 Braves who earn NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete honors.
In addition, junior Madeline Lynch-Crumrine (Sedro-Woolley, Wash./Sedo-Woolley) and Julie Sherman (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) were both MVC Scholar-Athlete honorable mention selections and were part of the 10 BU players selected for NFCA academic honors. Joining the group were Mandy DeMeulenaere (Pella, Iowa/Pella), Brianne Joseph (Post Falls, Idaho/Post Falls), Shannon King (San Jose, Calif./Archbishop Mitty), Alison Kresl (Kankakee, Ill./Bishop McNamara), Jackie Roth (Hickory Hills, Ill./Stagg) and Heather Terry (Jones, Okla./Jones).
Bradley opens the 2013 softball schedule Feb. 7-10 at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. The Braves will face three Pac-12 opponents during the opening weekend of play, kicking off the season against Stanford Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. (CDT).
