Field Hockey Recognized by NFHCA for Academic Achievement

Feb. 24, 2009

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State field hockey team has been recognized by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) as a program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. It is the third-straight year the Spartans have been recognized for this achievement.

The National Academic Team Award recognizes those institutions that achieve a minimum combined GPA of 3.0 during the first semester of the 2008-09 academic year.

La Salle took top honors in 2008 with a team GPA of 3.56. Last year's top finisher, Old Dominion was second with a 3.47, Yale finished third with a 3.46, Central Michigan placed fourth (3.45) and American University rounded out the top five (3.44).

Earlier this season the Spartans were honored by the Big Ten, placing 10 players on the Academic All-Big Ten squad, a team record. Seniors Michelle Ciliberti, Geraldine Raynor and Gwen Riley; juniors Jeamie Deacon, Floor Rijpma and Elissa Unger; and sophomores Amanda Huck, Angie Lucik, Julie Mackay and Jantine Steinmetz all maintained over a 3.0 GPA to receive the honor.