FMU Softball Team Earns NFCA All-Academic Team Recognition

FLORENCE, SC - The National Fastpitch Coaches Association recently announced its All-Academic Team listings for the 2007 season, and Francis Marion University was one of 61 NCAA Division II programs to garner recognition – and the only Peach Belt Conference school to be named to the list.

The All-Academic Team listings are based on cumulative team grade-point averages submitted by NFCA member head coaches for the 2006-07 academic year. Squads are named in seven categories: all three NCAA divisions, NAIA, junior college, and two high school categories.

The Patriots compiled a 3.470 cumulative grade-point average and were ranked 10th among Division II programs. In fact, FMU ranked 22nd among all four-year schools – NCAA (all divisions) and NAIA – and first among Palmetto State institutions.FMU previously earned this honor in 1999, 2000, and 2006.

“For the second straight year, I am very proud of the accomplishments these student-athletes have achieved both on and off the playing field,” said FMU head coach Stacey Vallee. “As in winning games, this academic award is truly a team effort. These players are the perfect examples of ‘student-athletes’.”

Francis Marion compiled a 34-16 record this past spring, finishing fifth during the PBC regular season. FMU spent five weeks in the Top 25 poll, and for the fourth straight year, narrowly missed earning a bid to the NCAA Division II national tournament. Seventeen of the squad's 18 players were named to the PBC Presidential Honor Roll following the season.

NCAA Division II NFCA All-Academic Teams

Rank   School                                                 Head Coach                GPA

 1         Grand Canyon University                    Ann Pedersen             3.633

 2         Emporia State University                    Kristi Bredbenner        3.631

 3         Lewis University                                  George DiMatteo         3.570

 4         Grand Valley State University             Doug Woods               3.507

 5         C.W. Post - Long Island Univ.            Jamie Apicella             3.490

 6         Univ. of Arkansas, Monticello              Alvy Early                    3.480

 7         Barry University                                   Danielle Penner          3.479

 7         Wilmington College                             Erin Harvey                 3.479

 9         Valdosta State University                    Thomas Macera          3.471

10        Francis Marion University                    Stacey Vallee              3.470