The Keuka College Softball Team has set an impressive academic record, achieving the highest grade-point average among all 406 NCAA Division III teams for the past year.
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced on Tuesday that the Wolves earned a team GPA of 3.822 for the 2023-24 academic year, narrowly surpassing Wheaton College (Mass.), which posted a 3.77 GPA. Every member of the Keuka College Softball roster received NFCA Scholar-Athlete awards for their academic achievements.
“This is an incredible honor and a testament to the hard work our student-athletes put in, not just on the softball field but, more importantly, in the classroom,” said Head Coach Jamie Burke. “Our program has a long-standing tradition of academic excellence, maintaining an average GPA of 3.50 over the past eight years and consistently placing multiple players on scholar-athlete lists.”
Keuka College Director of Athletics Jon Accardi M’09 praised Coach Burke for her dedication to fostering academic success among her players.
“Balancing the demands of athletics and academics is no small feat, and their success is a shining example of what can be achieved with hard work and perseverance,” he said. “I am immensely proud to be associated with such a stellar group of student-athletes.”
The Softball team’s 3.84 GPA during the spring semester was the highest of any team in any sport within the Empire 8 Conference. Additionally, eight of the 11 players earned Empire 8 President’s List honors by achieving a semester GPA of 3.75 or higher.
Leading the academic charge were Emily Cutrona of Buffalo, Emily VanDelinder of Corning, and Makenna DeMoney of Conklin, N.Y., who each achieved perfect 4.0 GPAs. Emily Cutrona and Emily VanDelinder earned 4.0 GPAs throughout the entire academic year.
The Keuka College Softball Team’s academic achievements underscore their dedication and commitment, making them a true embodiment of student-athlete excellence.
