NFCA PRESS RELEASE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Easton and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) recognized George Mason Softball as an Academic Team for the 2024 season, ranking the Patriots fourth out of over 150 eligible Division I schools.
To be recognized for the award, a Division I team must attain at least a 3.0 GPA throughout the entire 2023-24 school year.
According to the NFCA, the rankings and honors recognize the academic prowess of softball teams across the Association's membership categories. NCAA Division I led the way with 2,573 student-athletes earning a 3.5 grade-point average or higher for 2023-24. NCAA Division III followed with 2,285 and NCAA Division II with 1,510. NAIA and junior colleges came in with 873 and 808 student-athletes respectively.
The Patriots,
who earned their second consecutive President's Cup in the most recent Green and Gold Celebration, achieved a team GPA of 3.78,
the highest mark of any George Mason team in the spring of 2024.
Seven individual members of the softball team were also named All-America Scholar-Athletes by Easton/NFCA. To be honored with the exclusive accolade, a student-athlete must carry a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above.
This year, over 8,000 student athletes across the nation earned 2023-24 Scholar-Athlete honors.
Graduate student
Rachel Warrens, as well as seniors
Sydney Bales and
Marlaina Bozek, garnered the honor for the fourth time in their careers. Junior
Jordan Tallman earned the award for the second consecutive year.
In addition, first-time Patriot honorees were given to sophomore
Elyssa DeRosa and freshmen
Emily Lampela and
Kylie Wilkerson.
The Easton/NFCA Academic Team list
can be found here, while the full All-America Scholar-Athlete list
can be found here.