After winning 10 conference championships in 2007-08, St. Ambrose University student-athletes proved to be equally impressive in the classroom. The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) recognized 16 St. Ambrose athletic programs as NAIA scholar teams. St. Ambrose and Hastings College led the NAIA with 16 scholar teams each.

The St. Ambrose dance and men's volleyball programs were not eligible for the award, meaning 16 of the 18 eligible programs received the honor.

"This is an outstanding accomplishment for the athletic department and the University," said SAU Athletic Director Ray Shovlain. "I commend our student-athletes for having their priorities in the proper order - starting with academics, then community service and our leadership academy, and athletic success third. I also commend our coaching staff for stressing the importance of academic success to our student-athletes."

To be eligible for the award, a team must have earned at least a 3.0 cumulative team grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) during the 2007-08 academic year.

Nine women's sports and seven men's sports were recognized with the Queen Bees cross country team having the athletic department's top GPA with a 3.55 mark. The Fighting Bees golf and tennis teams were the top SAU men's programs with matching 3.40 GPAs.

In all, St. Ambrose student-athletes had a cumulative 3.17 GPA.

St. Ambrose NAIA Scholar Teams
Baseball - 3.17 GPA
Men's Basketball - 3.26 GPA
Women's Basketball - 3.18 GPA
Men's Cross Country - 3.24 GPA
Women's Cross Country - 3.55 GPA
Men's Golf - 3.40 GPA
Women's Golf - 3.29 GPA
Men's Indoor Track & Field - 3.15
Women's Indoor Track & Field - 3.41
Men's Outdoor Track & Field - 3.15
Women's Outdoor Track & Field - 3.41
Women's Soccer - 3.42 GPA
Softball - 3.45 GPA
Men's Tennis - 3.40 GPA
Women's Tennis - 3.54 GPA
Women's Volleyball - 3.30 GPA

For more information on the NAIA Scholar Team program, visit http://naia.cstv.com/genrel/072108aad.html.