Feb. 26, 2007

METAIRIE, La. - George Mason's men's cross country team was honored by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for its excellence in the classroom, receiving the distinction of being named an All-Academic Team.

A total of 86 teams received Division I Men's All-Academic Cross Country Team honors for the 2006 season. To be honored as an All-Academic Team, teams must compete in an NCAA regional meet and have at least a cumulative team GPA of 3.0. The Patriots recorded a team GPA of 3.23. Wright State University had the highest cumulative GPA of any of the All-Academic teams (3.707).

"Obviously, we're very pleased to be recognized for our academic achievements," said head coach Andrew Gerard. "We had a very solid cross country season athletically last fall and now to be included among the top academic teams as well is a nice feather in the guys' caps. They certainly worked hard to achieve success in both arenas and I personally and professionally thank them for all their efforts on and off the course."

Iona, who placed third at the 2006 NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country Championships, was named the All-Academic Men's Cross Country Team of the Year by the USTFCCCA. The All-Academic Men's Cross Country Team of the Year is awarded to the highest-finishing school at the NCAA Championships that meets All-Academic team qualifications (a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA during the 2006 fall term).

In addition to the team honors, the USTFCCCA also handed out individual academic awards. To earn All-Academic individual honors, runners must have at least a cumulative GPA of 3.25 and place in the top 15 or top 10 percent of an NCAA regional meet. Fifty men earned All-Academic individual honors for the 2006 cross country season.