March 8, 2010

NEW ORLEANS - George Mason University was named an NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country All-Academic Team, the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Monday. The Patriots also earned the distinction last season.

For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, they must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA Regional Championship and also have a minimum 3.00 team cumulative GPA. George Mason finished in 10th place at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships last November. As a team, the Patriots have a 3.19 GPA.

A record total of 135 Division I men's programs received USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honors, up from 2008's total of 110. Vanderbilt and Creighton led the full slate of All-Academic Team honorees with a cumulative team GPA of 3.67.

Oklahoma State was named the Scholar Team of the Year. The Scholar Team of the Year distinction goes to the program that earned All-Academic Team honors and placed the highest among the field at the NCAA Cross Country Championships.