Sept. 30, 2002

Columbia, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State softball team had the second-best team grade-point-average in the country as announced by The National Fastpitch Coaches Association as they pulled in a team GPA of 3.468. They were runner-ups to Detroit Mercy, who had a 3.539 GPA.

"The award is a true testimony to the quality of the student-athletes recruited and the priority placed on academics within the softball program," stated Coach Lana Richmond. "It further recognizes the dedicated effort by our student-athletes who receive tremendous support from the university faculty, support staff and their coaches."

Southeast has climbed the ranks of this honor in the past years. In 1999 the team was ranked 10th in the nation and climbed to 9th then to 3rd in the next year.

"The program places an emphasis on the athletes to perform on and off the field," said Richmond.

The award is presented to the top 10 schools in each division with the best cumulative team grade-point averages for the 2001-2002 academic year.