Recently, last season’s women’s field hockey team was awarded with an NCAA Division III National Academic Team Award from the National Field Hockey Coaches Associations (NFHCA).
Coach Kelley Hubbell, who has been the head coach for the Tigers for the past five seasons, was very excited for the team’s recognition for excellent academics.
“I love that our team promotes succeeding on and off the pitch, and earning this recognition is among many reasons I am so proud of our entire field hockey family,” Hubbell said.
Hubbell accredited her players, saying that her student-athletes take ownership to reach this goal — one that is at the top of their goal lists every year.
To earn this team award, a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 is needed. These Tigers finished with a 3.38 GPA in the fall while they were in season. This 3.38 GPA was one of the best in the nation in the 2014 season.
Hubbell recognized her example, setting seniors Beth Warning, Kim Loofbourrow and Megan Loofbourrow — who have all received individual academic recognition by the NFHCA — every year of their careers. This year, along with the seniors, 14 other teammates were recognized by the NFHCA for their academic successes. Two juniors, six sophomores and six freshmen were all selected to the NFHCA National Academic Squad, along with the three field hockey seniors. To be selected to the National Academic Squad, the student-athlete must have held a 3.3 GPA or higher during the semester. Among the individual awards, sophomore Victoria Robertson was honored as a Scholar of Distinction, an accolade that required her to have a GPA of 3.9 or better.
Hubbell has high hopes for more bright futures both on the field and in the classroom over the next few years for her team. More individuals were recognized on Wittenberg’s Field Hockey Team for academic excellence than any other North Coach Athletic Conference (NCAC) team, and this is the second year in a row this has happened for them.
“I look forward to seeing how our team’s determined work ethic continues to fuel our academic and athletic preparation, confidence and builds towards successful 2015 spring and fall seasons,” Hubbell said.
