12 Milligan teams earn NAIA scholar award

MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (July 16, 2019) -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced Monday that 12 Milligan College teams earned the distinction for Scholar-Teams for the 2018-19 academic year. These 12 teams were among 1,939 total teams across the NAIA recognized with this award.

The Buffs of the women's basketball team held the highest grade-point average for Milligan with a cumulative 3.53. Women's tennis followed closely with a 3.51, and women's cross country and softball were third and fourth highest with a 3.48 and 3.47. The track & field squad held the highest GPA on the men's side with a 3.25.

"It is gratifying to see our student-athletes, under the guidance of their coaches and professors, be as successful in the classroom as they are in athletic competition," said Mark Fox, Milligan vice president for athletics and student development. "Milligan challenges you in so many ways, especially the classroom. These young athletes have accepted the challenge academically and have produced. The cream has risen to the top, and they continue to meet every challenge. We are very proud of them for achieving this outstanding accomplishment."

For the complete list of Milligan's teams to receive the honor, please see below.

Women's Basketball - 3.53
Women's Tennis - 3.51
Women's Cross Country - 3.48
Softball - 3.47
Women's Indoor Track & Field - 3.45
Women's Outdoor Track & Field - 3.45
Women's Volleyball - 3.40
Women's Soccer - 3.36
Men's Indoor Track & Field - 3.25
Men's Outdoor Track & Field - 3.25
Men's Soccer - 3.23
Men's Cross Country - 3.20

For a team to be considered for the NAIA Scholar-Team award, it must have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the institution. The team grade-point average includes all eligible varsity student-athletes.

Individually, Milligan teams combined to place 38 student-athletes on their respective Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete team. The Milligan women's basketball team led in that category, placing eight on the list.