Click Here For PDF Release
Somerset, NJ -- As Northeast Conference (NEC) student-athletes continued to excel in the classroom, a tight race developed for the 2013-14 NEC Institutional Academic Award. When the dust settled and the final numbers were tabulated following the spring season, Robert Morris student-athletes posted a combined 3.295 grade point average in 19 sports to win the coveted honor for the second time in three years. The Colonials edged out LIU Brooklyn (3.248) and Wagner (3.245) for the top spot.
Overall, the 4,000+ NEC student-athletes averaged a 3.158 GPA for the 2013-14 academic year and all 10 core member institutions finished the year with at least a 3.0 GPA. Similarly, 75.7 percent of NEC teams finished with a 3.0 or better GPA.
Robert Morris won Team GPA awards in nine different sports, a new NEC calendar year record.
“I’m extremely proud of the efforts put in by our student-athletes here at Robert Morris in earning the 2014 NEC Institutional Academic Award,” said Craig Coleman, Robert Morris Director of Athletics. “Our student-athletes exemplify the true collegiate athletics model thanks to the great assistance of our outstanding faculty, academic advisors and coaches, who reinforce the importance of academics.”
The Institutional Academic Award is presented annually to the NEC member who attains the highest overall institutional grade-point average amongst student-athletes competing in sports sponsored by the NCAA Division I conference. The NEC currently sponsors 22 sports: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s bowling, men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, women’s swimming, men’s and women’s tennis and women’s volleyball.
“Once again, I am truly impressed with the ability of NEC student-athletes to balance their academic workload with their athletic pursuits,” said Noreen Morris, NEC Commissioner. “Highlighted by the incredible achievements of Institutional Academic Award winner Robert Morris, all 10 NEC institutions finished the year with at least a 3.0 GPA, which once again showcases the NEC Council of Presidents’ commitment to building the total student-athlete, one that places an equal emphasis on academic advancement and athletic success.”
Robert Morris not only improved on its 3.271 GPA from a year ago, but the 3.295 figure represented the second-highest GPA for an institution since the award was first established during the 2006-07 academic year. The Colonials only trailed Wagner’s 3.305 mark from the 2012-13 academic year. The Colonials had 17 of their 20 teams record a GPA in excess of 3.0, led by the women’s tennis team with a program-best 3.722. Likewise, 15 RMU teams posted a least a 3.20 GPA on the year.
“The entire Robert Morris community can take pride in this achievement, given the important contributions our student-athletes make to campus life, community service and, of course, our academic reputation,” said Dr. Greg Dell’Omo, Robert Morris President. “Division I athletics at Robert Morris University builds character and develops leadership skills in our students that serve them well in their future endeavors.”
2013-14 School-By-School GPAs
School NEC Sports Overall GPA
Bryant 21 3.080
Central Connecticut 18 3.026
Fairleigh Dickinson 18 3.108
LIU Brooklyn 16 3.248
Mount St. Mary’s 16 3.076
Robert Morris 19 3.295
Sacred Heart 20 3.221
St. Francis Brooklyn 16 3.069
Saint Francis U 20 3.184
Wagner 19 3.245
The NEC also recognized those teams that compiled the best GPA in their respective sports. Along with Robert Morris claiming an NEC-best nine Team GPA awards, Fairleigh Dickinson, Sacred Heart and Wagner won three apiece.
NEC women’s golf student-athletes posted the highest overall grades of any sport in the Conference, combining for a 3.541 GPA. Likewise, the Saint Francis U women’s cross country team’s 3.742 grade point average was the best mark for a single program on the year.
Wagner women’s swimming and diving not only won its first NEC championship, but also compiled the highest team GPA in the sport.
2013-14 NEC Team GPA Awards
Sport School GPA
Baseball Sacred Heart 3.224
Men’s Basketball Sacred Heart 2.849
Women’s Basketball St. Francis Brooklyn 3.537
Women’s Bowling Adelphi 3.641
Men’s Cross Country Robert Morris 3.337
Women’s Cross Country Saint Francis U 3.742
Football Wagner 2.969
Men’s Golf Fairleigh Dickinson 3.517
Women’s Golf Saint Francis U 3.738
Men’s Indoor Track & Field Robert Morris 3.240
Women’s Indoor Track & Field Robert Morris 3.428
Men’s Lacrosse Wagner 3.221
Women’s Lacrosse Sacred Heart 3.470
Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Robert Morris 3.240
Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Robert Morris 3.428
Men’s Soccer Fairleigh Dickinson 3.350
Women’s Soccer Robert Morris 3.450
Softball Robert Morris 3.505
Women’s Swimming & Diving Wagner 3.537
Men’s Tennis Fairleigh Dickinson 3.470
Women’s Tennis Robert Morris 3.722
Women’s Volleyball Robert Morris 3.564
NEC Institutional Academic Award Winners
Year School GPA
2013-14 Robert Morris 3.295
2012-13 Wagner 3.305
2011-12 Robert Morris 3.279
2010-11 Saint Francis U 3.270
2009-10 Fairleigh Dickinson/Saint Francis U 3.239
2008-09 Saint Francis U 3.234
2007-08 Wagner 3.186
2006-07 Wagner 3.147
About The Northeast Conference
Now in its 33rd year, the Northeast Conference is an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of 10 institutions of higher learning located throughout six states. Media coverage of the NEC extends to four of the largest markets in the United States - New York (#1), Pittsburgh (#23), Baltimore (#27), and Hartford/New Haven (#30). Founded in 1981 as the basketball-only ECAC Metro Conference, the NEC has grown to sponsor 22 championship sports for men and women and now enjoys automatic access to 14 different NCAA Championships. NEC member institutions include Bryant, Central Connecticut, Fairleigh Dickinson, LIU Brooklyn, Mount St. Mary’s, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, St. Francis Brooklyn, Saint Francis U and Wagner. For more information on the NEC, visit the league’s official website (www.northeastconference.org) and digital network (www.necfrontrow.com), or follow the league on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Google+, all @NECsports.