ROCKLIN, Calif. - Jessup Athletics tallied a record-high 13 recipients of the NAIA Scholar Team Award released by the national office today. Along with that, the Warriors accounted for nearly 40-percent of the student-athlete population earning NAIA Scholar-Athlete recognition. 

"What a remarkable achievement by our student-athletes to earn the best academic marks in the history of our athletics program amid a global pandemic and transitioning from face to face instruction to synchronous or online," athletic director Lance Von Vogt said. "Our coaching staffs do a great job supporting the academic and spiritual growth of our student-athletes and this recognition demonstrates that care." 

The NAIA awards teams that earn a cumulative 3.0-grade point average (GPA) overall active student-athletes on the roster, as well as individuals that earn a 3.5 average over the two semesters. This year marked the most student-athletes receiving this honor with a total of 85 Warriors across the 14 sponsored sports by William Jessup.

Overall Jessup Athletics combined for a 3.3 overall GPA for the 2020-21 season across all 14 sponsored sports. This coming season the Warriors will add STUNT to the mix in hopes of continuing the academic success on and off the field of play.

Leading the force was the nationally recognized women's cross country team with a 3.86, close behind their partner in crime, women's track and field with a 3.73 and women's tennis tallying a 3.61 for the top three slots. On the men's side, the golf team was the leader of the pack with a 3.47 GPA, followed by men's cross country with a 3.35 and men's track and field closing out with a 3.15.

Academic success is an integral part of the Jessup Athletics culture and in just the past year, the Warriors have improved immensely showing an increase in awarded athletes and teams each year.

"The bar is pretty high moving forward," Von Vogt concluded, "but we will look to break the record again this year."