Tuesday, July 24, 2012

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 24, 2012) – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its team academic awards for the 2011-12 season, and ETSU was one of a record-setting 533 schools to receive the prestigious honor.

The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale. The previous record was set last season when 481 schools made the list for the academic award.

“Many coaches tell us they take more pride in and hear more positive feedback about winning the AVCA Team Academic Award than anything else they do all year,” said AVCA Executive Director Kathy DeBoer. “While it is undeniable that the sport we coach is zero-sum on the scoreboard, it is a tool for empowerment on other fronts.  The 533 coaches whose teams won this academic award understand the value of both playing to win and winning through play. A well-deserved congratulations to each team and coach!”  

The Buccaneers, who had nine players record a 3.0 GPA or higher last season, finished with a team GPA of 3.338 in 2011-12.

Overall, ETSU was one of six schools from the Atlantic Sun Conference to receive the award.

The 2012-13 ETSU volleyball team reports to camp in early August, as the Buccaneers gear up for their season-opening tournament on August 24 in Columbia S.C.

For more information on Buccaneer volleyball, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.

ABOUT AVCA
The AVCA, with its headquarters in Lexington, Ky., is managed by Associations International. The mission of the AVCA is to develop and grow the sport of volleyball; with a membership of over 5,000 and counting, the AVCA provides a professional network for those individuals and companies dedicated to enhancing and developing the sport. Members are comprised of national and international coaches, collegiate, high school, club, youth and Olympic coaches, as well as club directors. Other members include former players, officials, media members and other friends of volleyball. As a group, the AVCA is committed to the development, growth, advancement and publicity of volleyball throughout the world. Further information is available at www.avca.org.