GREENSBORO, N.C. – The North Carolina Central University baseball program has been recognized by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) for its work in the classroom, as the program received the Team Academic Excellence Award, the organization announced.
The Eagles are among 68 programs recognized at the Division I level, one of two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference programs along with Coppin State, and one of seven DI programs in the state of North Carolina.
NCCU baseball head coach Jim Koerner holds a high amount of pride in his squad’s work in the classroom.
“To be one of only 68 Division I baseball programs in the country to receive this award is a tremendous honor,” Koerner said. “Our baseball student-athletes put in a lot of work to achieve at a high level both on and off the field. We are all extremely proud of this accomplishment and look forward to future successes.”
The NCCU baseball program currently boasts a team grade point average of 3.30. During the spring semester, 21 baseball student-athletes achieved a 3.5 GPA or better, including seven with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
In total, 146 high school teams along with 288 programs from the NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, and Junior College levels were recognized.
“In light of the challenges faced by so many programs across the country, we are humbled to be able to honor a record number of teams for their outstanding academic achievements,” said ABCA Executive Director Craig Keilitz. “It is a testament to the leadership of our member coaches and the commitment of their student-athletes who persevered during an unprecedented academic year.”
The American Baseball Coaches Association has a long tradition of recognizing the achievements of baseball coaches and student-athletes. The ABCA/Rawlings All-America Teams are the nation’s oldest, founded in 1949, and the ABCA’s awards program also includes the ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Awards, the ABCA/Diamond Regional and National Coaches of the Year and several other major awards such as the ABCA Hall of Fame and the Dave Keilitz Ethics in Coaching Award.
Courtesy: NCCU Athletics
