Seton Hill University has been recognized as the highest academic ranking school in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II East Region.

Annually, the NCAA Division II Athletic Directors’ Association presents academic achievement awards for student-athletes that have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher and have completed four semesters. Seton Hill had 85 student-athletes recognized and ranked fourth in Division II for academic achievement.

“I am very proud of our student-athletes’ academic performance. We have 85 students who maintained a 3.5 grade point average or better and more than 400 student-athletes achieved at least an average of 3.2,” said Chris Snyder, executive director of Athletics. “To me, this demonstrates tremendous dedication by our student-athletes as well as the commitment of our coaching staff to recruit academically prepared students that will be successful in the classroom, and on the field, at Seton Hill.”

JoAnne Boyle, Seton Hill president commented, “We chose NCAA Division II, with its emphasis on academic success and the preparing of student-athletes to be good citizens, leaders and contributors in their communities, because we recognized the D-II philosophy best suited Seton Hill and the student experience espoused here. This accolade from the Division II Athletic Directors’ Association affirms the importance of Seton Hill’s dedicated efforts to ensure the success of our athletes and indeed all students.”

The NCAA also released the Academic Success Rate for Division II student-athletes. This was developed in response to college and university presidents who wanted graduation data that more accurately reflect the mobility among all college students today.

The Division II average Academic Success Rate, which indicates student-athletes continue to graduate at a high rate, for Seton Hill’s men’s sports (baseball, basketball, cross county and track, football, soccer, wrestling, lacrosse) is 73; the federal rate is 54. The average Academic Success Rate for women’s sports is 93; the federal rate is 71. Overall, Seton Hill’s student-athlete Academic Success Rate is 80.

“When players excel in the classroom, they excel on the court,” said women’s basketball head coach Ferne Labati. “What we are trying to create is the total person concept. You don’t have a team, you have a program. A good program wins year in and year out, on and off the court, because of the philosophy of what you’ve done. Team building, strength and conditioning, skills training, it all makes the total person.” For the fifth consecutive year, the team, led by Labati, was named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II Academic Top 25 Honor Roll. Seton Hill women’s basketball program sits sixth in the nation, finishing the 2012 season with an overall grade point average of 3.58.

A commitment to academics and student-athlete success in the classroom is a vital part of the NCAA's mission to integrate athletics into the fabric of higher education. The NCAA pledges to help student-athletes achieve their academic goals as well as their athletics goals. The Division II philosophy promotes a balanced experience for student-athletes.

Marc Marizzaldi, head coach, men’s baseball added, “In our baseball program, as much as we strive to win championships, our ultimate goal is to develop the entire person when it comes to our student athletes. As coaches we need to give them the tools that will make them successful when they leave Seton Hill, and their education is the foundation of the successful careers they have ahead of them. I've found that talented players win games, but great character players build programs and win championships. Academic success is a huge ingredient in developing our young people. I believe we've been fortunate to enjoy success in the classroom and on the field because of the atmosphere that we create for our student athletes. Fostering an atmosphere of excellence for our players helps them become great people that are goal oriented in every aspect of their lives.”