2002-03 News
Oct. 1, 2002: FERRIS WOMEN’S TEAM HONORED FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Bulldogs Rank Among Nation’s Top 25 For Third Consecutive Season
The 2001-02 Ferris State University women’s basketball squad has been honored as one of the nation’s top 25 academic teams in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll list for the third consecutive season in an announcement released by the WBCA.
Fifth-year head coach Tracey Fisk’s 2001-02 Bulldog squad placed 21st overall after compiling a 3.313 team grade point average (gpa). FSU previously recorded the nation’s top gpa (3.534) in 1999-2000 and was 20th overall (3.388) during the 2000-01 academic year on the national list, which recognizes the nation’s top academic team performances based upon nominations by WBCA-member coaches.
Ferris was one of three Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC)-member schools to place among the top 25 for 2001-02 as Ashland was 12th (3.399) and Lake Superior State was 14th overall (3.386). Abilene Christian (Texas) registered NCAA-II’s top team gpa (3.666) while Montana State-Billings placed second (3.552) and Regis (Colo.) finished third (3.493).
The WBCA recognized the nation’s highest NCAA Divisions I, II, III, junior/community colleges and NAIA programs based upon nominations submitted by WBCA-member coaches. Based out of Georgia, the WBCA has over 4,500 members and was conceived as a vehicle through which members could be recognized and honored for their efforts and achievements. The WBCA awards program remains a well-known benefit of WBCA membership.
Founded in 1981, the WBCA promotes women’s basketball by unifying coaches at all levels to develop a reputable identity for the sport and to foster and promote the development of the game in all of its aspects as an amateur sport for both women and girls.
Four Bulldog players were honored individually as 2001-02 GLIAC Women’s Basketball All-Academic Team selections. They included former FSU standout Debbie Killips (Shelby), who completed her eligibility at the conclusion of the 2001-02 season, and current juniors Lucy DeMartin (Mason), Stephanie Benear (Howell) and Bridget Horwitz (Auburn, Ind./DeKalb). Killips was also recognized as a first-team 2001-02 Verizon Academic All-America College Division Women’s Basketball pick while DeMartin attained second-team 2001-02 Verizon Academic All-District IV College Division honors.
Ferris State will open the 2002-03 campaign Saturday, Nov. 16, in a 2 p.m. (EST) exhibition contest at NCAA-I Kent State (Ohio). The Bulldogs return eight letterwinners return from last season’s squad, which was 14-12 overall and 11-7 in the GLIAC’s North Division (4th Place). FSU will host St. Francis (Ind.) Saturday, Nov. 23, in a 1 p.m. (EST) season-opening non-conference encounter at FSU’s Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids, Mich.
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