ATLANTA (Aug. 1, 2023) – Robert Morris University, Upper Iowa University, Wartburg College, University of Pikeville and Alpena Community College sit atop their respective divisions in the 2022-23 WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Rolls announced today by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.
The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and two-year college women’s basketball teams across the nation that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2022-23 season is the 28th in which the WBCA has compiled the honor rolls.
Robert Morris, coached by Charlie Buscaglia, finished first among NCAA Division I members with a 3.807 cumulative team grade-point average. Upper Iowa, coached by Justin Maass, claimed top academic honors in NCAA Division II with a 3.894 GPA. Wartburg, coached by Bob Amsberry, took top honors in NCAA Division III with a 3.872 GPA. Pikeville, coached by Clifton Williams, was No. 1 in the NAIA division with a 3.877 GPA. Alpena, coached by Cynthia DeRocher, finished atop the two-year college standings with a 3.615 GPA.
“The WBCA is pleased to recognize those women’s basketball programs that have committed themselves to excellence on the court and in the classroom,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. “The teams we honor this year strive to achieve all-around success and we commend their efforts. Congratulations!”
Here are the 2022-23 WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Rolls by division. The head coach listed for each institution was its head coach during the 2022-23 season. Teams having a 3.0 combined GPA and qualifying for consideration in their respective divisions are also listed as special mentions.
NCAA Division I
|
Rank |
Institution |
Head Coach |
GPA |
|
1 |
Robert Morris University |
Charlie Buscaglia |
3.807 |
|
2 |
University at Albany |
Colleen Mullen |
3.791 |
|
3 |
Northern Illinois University |
Lisa Carlsen |
3.778 |
|
4 |
University of North Florida |
Darrick Gibbs |
3.769 |
|
5 |
University of Maine |
Amy Vachon |
3.766 |
|
6 |
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay |
Kevin Borseth |
3.758 |
|
7 |
South Dakota State University |
Aaron Johnston |
3.745 |
|
T8 |
Lipscomb University |
Lauren Sumski |
3.714 |
|
T8 |
University of Northern Iowa |
Tanya Warren |
3.714 |
|
10 |
Boise State University |
Gordy Presnell |
3.702 |
|
11 |
Houston Christian University |
Donna Finnie |
3.701 |
|
12 |
Youngstown State University |
John Barnes |
3.695 |
|
13 |
Belmont University |
Bart Brooks |
3.676 |
|
14 |
Western Illinois University |
JD Gravina |
3.659 |
|
15 |
Marist College |
Brian Giorgis |
3.652 |
|
16 |
Drake University |
Allison Pohlman |
3.628 |
|
17 |
University of Portland |
Michael Meek |
3.605 |
|
18 |
Campbell University |
Ronny Fisher |
3.597 |
|
19 |
Purdue University Fort Wayne |
Maria Marchesano |
3.596 |
|
20 |
University of Washington |
Tina Langley |
3.585 |
|
21 |
Manhattan College |
Heather Vulin |
3.576 |
|
22 |
Kent State University |
Todd Starkey |
3.575 |
|
23 |
University of Missouri |
Robin Pingeton |
3.571 |
|
24 |
Eastern Illinois University |
Matt Bollant |
3.569 |
|
25 |
Columbia University |
Megan Griffith |
3.566 |
Special Mention: Drexel University, Amy Mallon, 3.565; Abilene Christian University, Julie Goodenough, 3.560; University of Toledo, Tricia Cullop, 3.556; Indiana University, Teri Moren, 3.553; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Kyle Rechlicz, 3.552; University of South Dakota, Kayla Karius, 3.551; Montana State University, Tricia Binford, 3.547; Canisius University, Sahar Nusseibeh, 3.531; University of Illinois, Shauna Green, 3.531; University of the Pacific, Bradley Davis, 3.524; Princeton University, Carla Berube, 3.515; Gonzaga University, Lisa Fortier, 3.515; University of Akron, Ryan Gensler, 3.503; Duke University , Kara Lawson, 3.501; Bowling Green State University, Robyn Fralick, 3.501; Stonehill College, Trisha Brown, 3.494; Michigan State University, Suzy Merchant, 3.493; University of North Dakota, Mallory Bernhard, 3.493; New Jersey Institute of Technology, Mike Lane, 3.490; Creighton University, Jim Flanery, 3.490; University of Denver, Doshia Woods, 3.483; Lehigh University, Addie Micir, 3.477; Yale University, Dalila Eshe, 3.475; Quinnipiac University, Tricia Fabbri, 3.473; University of Nebraska, Amy Williams, 3.473; University of Richmond, Aaron Roussell, 3.472; Santa Clara University, William Carr, 3.468; Virginia Tech, Kenny Brooks, 3.466; University of Montana, Brian Holsinger, 3.465; Tennessee Tech University, Kim Rosamond, 3.460; Cleveland State University, Chris Kielsmeier, 3.459; University of Alabama at Birmingham, Randy Norton, 3.458; Western Michigan University, Shane Clipfell, 3.450; Indiana State University, Chad Killinger, 3.448; Fresno State University, Jaime White, 3.418; University of Wyoming, Heather Ezell, 3.417; University of Iowa, Lisa Bluder, 3.416; University of St. Thomas, Ruth Sinn, 3.415; Oregon State University, Scott Rueck, 3.414; Grand Canyon University, Molly Miller, 3.411; University of Kansas, Brandon Schneider, 3.409; University of the Incarnate Word, Jeff Dow, 3.400; University of Illinois Chicago, Ashleen Bracey, 3.396; Binghamton University, Bethann Ord, 3.394; California State University, Northridge, Carlene Mitchell, 3.394; Valparaiso University, Mary Evans, 3.389; University of Alabama, Kristy Curry, 3.379; American University, Tiffany Coll, 3.375; DePaul University, Douglas Bruno, 3.372; Arizona State University, Natasha Adair, 3.367; University of Colorado, JR Payne, 3.358; Washington State University, Kamie Ethridge, 3.356; Saint Joseph's University, Cindy Griffin, 3.348; Oklahoma State University, Jacie Hoyt, 3.332; University of Notre Dame, Niele Ivey, 3.331; University of Arizona, Adia Barnes, 3.331; Portland State University, Chelsey Gregg, 3.331; Western Carolina University, Kiley Hill, 3.318; Rice University, Lindsay Edmonds, 3.316; Kansas State University, Jeff Mittie, 3.297; Louisiana Tech University, Brooke Stoehr, 3.285; Liberty University, Carey Green, 3.280; La Salle University, Mountain MacGillivray, 3.277; University of Minnesota, Lindsay Whalen, 3.275; Fairfield University, Carly Thibault, 3.271; University of Kentucky, Cami Moore, 3.267; UCLA, Cori Close, 3.263; UC Santa Barbara, Bonnie Henrickson, 3.261; University of Southern California, Lindsay Gottlieb, 3.250; University of Evansville, Robyn Scherr-Wells, 3.241; Sacred Heart University, Jessica Mannetti, 3.237; Niagara University, Jada Pierce, 3.217; University of San Diego, Cindy Fisher, 3.214; UNLV, Lindy La Rocque, 3.206; Georgia State University , Gene Hill, 3.204; California State University Bakersfield, Greg McCall, 3.199; University of California, Berkeley, Charmin Smith, 3.182; University of Tulsa, Angie Nelp, 3.181; Longwood University, Erika Lang-Montgomery, 3.179; Hofstra University, Danielle Santos Atkinson, 3.163; Eastern Washington University, Joddie Gleason, 3.147; University of Central Florida, Sytia Messer, 3.134; University of Mississippi, Yolett McPhee-McCuin, 3.132; Seton Hall University, Anthony Bozzella, 3.127; Ohio State University, Kevin McGuff, 3.099; Florida State University, Brooke Wyckoff, 3.090; Brigham Young University, Amber Whiting, 3.077; University of Tennessee, Kellie Harper, 3.048; University of Virginia, Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, 3.041; Texas Tech University, Krista Gerlich, 3.021.
NCAA Division II
|
Rank |
Institution |
Head Coach |
GPA |
|
1 |
Upper Iowa University |
Justin Maass |
3.894 |
|
2 |
Lubbock Christian University |
Steve Gomez |
3.882 |
|
3 |
University of Montevallo |
Gary Van Atta |
3.841 |
|
4 |
Ashland University |
Kari Pickens |
3.826 |
|
5 |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL) |
Lisa Wilson |
3.822 |
|
6 |
Fort Hays State University |
Tony Hobson |
3.805 |
|
7 |
Rockhurst University |
Larry Park |
3.776 |
|
8 |
Lee University |
Marty Rowe |
3.763 |
|
9 |
Mercyhurst University |
Brooklyn Kohlheim |
3.753 |
|
T10 |
University of Wisconsin Parkside |
Jen Conely |
3.740 |
|
T10 |
Montana State University Billings |
Kevin Woodin |
3.740 |
|
12 |
William Jewell College |
Jill Slominski |
3.736 |
|
T13 |
Northern Michigan University |
Casey Thousand |
3.723 |
|
T13 |
Fort Lewis College |
Taylor Harris |
3.723 |
|
15 |
McKendree University |
Kari Kerkhoff |
3.719 |
|
16 |
Tiffin University |
Josh Mason |
3.713 |
|
17 |
Truman State University |
Theo Dean III |
3.707 |
|
18 |
Maryville University |
Brita Hand |
3.706 |
|
19 |
Kutztown University |
Janet Malouf |
3.701 |
|
T20 |
Missouri University of Science and Technology |
Kira Carter |
3.695 |
|
T20 |
Southwest Minnesota State University |
Tom Webb |
3.695 |
|
22 |
University of Central Missouri |
David Slifer |
3.694 |
|
23 |
Northwest Missouri State |
Austin Meyer |
3.690 |
|
24 |
Pace University |
Carrie Seymour |
3.688 |
|
25 |
St. Cloud State University |
Lori Fish |
3.682 |
Special Mention: Thomas Jefferson University, Tom Shirley, 3.674; University of Alaska Fairbanks, Amy Donovan, 3.665; Texas Woman's University, Beth Jillson, 3.659; Seattle Pacific University, Mike Simonson, 3.653; Ursuline College, Shannon Sword, 3.648; Pittsburg State University, Amanda Davied, 3.644; Northwood University, Autumn Haggadone, 3.643; St. Thomas Aquinas College, Bill Cleary, 3.642; California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Danelle Bishop, 3.641; Wayne State University (MI), Carrie Lohr, 3.632; Minot State University, Michael Brandt, 3.630; Point Loma Nazarene University, Charity Elliott, 3.629; California State University East Bay, Jenny Thigpin, 3.627; Michigan Technological University, Samantha Clayton, 3.616; Minnesota State University, Emilee Thiesse, 3.606; Oklahoma Baptist University, Bo Overton, 3.600; East Stroudsburg University, Stephanie Del Preore, 3.590; Wingate University, Ann Hancock, 3.589; Seton Hill University, Mark Katarski, 3.577; Winona State University, Ana Wurtz, 3.568; Adelphi University, Sade Jackson, 3.563; Columbus State University, Matt Houser, 3.552; West Liberty University, Kyle Cooper, 3.547; Florida Southern College, Megan Dzikas, 3.547; Harding University, Tim Kirby, 3.520; Northwest Nazarene University, Steve Steele, 3.518; Southern New Hampshire University, Karen Pinkos, 3.516; D'Youville University, Alison Bouman, 3.502; University of Hawaii at Hilo, David Kaneshiro, 3.484; Western Washington University, Carmen Dolfo, 3.455; Biola University, Alan Nakamura, 3.454; Gannon University, Cleve Wright, 3.437; Carson-Newman University, Michael Mincey, 3.432; West Chester University, Kiera Wooden, 3.393; Coker University, Melissa DeVore, 3.383; Davenport University, Shonda Sanders, 3.375; Union University, Mark Campbell, 3.360; Bentley University, Carolyn White, 3.359; California State University Monterey Bay, Sarah Hopkins-Chery, 3.340; Azusa Pacific University, T.J. Hardeman, 3.315; Assumption University, Kerry Phayre, 3.298; Chowan University, Lenise Stallings, 3.273; California State University, Dominguez Hills, John Bonner, 3.224; University of West Florida, Stephanie Yelton, 3.215; California State University, Los Angeles, Torino Johnson, 3.129; California State University, San Bernardino, Casandra Renno, 3.108; University of North Carolina at Pembroke, John Haskins, 3.077; Converse University, Samantha Davidson, 3.065.
NCAA Division III
|
Rank |
Institution |
Head Coach |
GPA |
|
1 |
Wartburg College |
Bob Amsberry |
3.872 |
|
2 |
Millikin University of Decatur |
Olivia Lett |
3.805 |
|
3 |
Martin Luther College |
Dan Gawrisch |
3.786 |
|
4 |
Emerson College |
Bill Gould |
3.766 |
|
5 |
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota |
David Foley |
3.761 |
|
6 |
Johns Hopkins University |
Katherine Bixby |
3.753 |
|
7 |
Marywood University |
Jen Carleton |
3.747 |
|
8 |
St. John Fisher College |
Melissa Kuberka |
3.745 |
|
T9 |
Clark University |
Bridgette Reyes |
3.741 |
|
T9 |
Baldwin Wallace University |
Cheri Harrer |
3.741 |
|
11 |
Trine University |
Andy Rang |
3.739 |
|
12 |
New York University |
Meg Barber |
3.735 |
|
13 |
Washington and Lee University |
Christine Clancy |
3.717 |
|
14 |
Misericordia University |
Jason Rhine |
3.714 |
|
15 |
Elizabethtown College |
Veronica Nolt |
3.710 |
|
16 |
Manchester University |
Josh Dzurick |
3.703 |
|
17 |
University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire |
Tonja Englund |
3.698 |
|
18 |
Case Western Reserve University |
Jennifer Reimer |
3.696 |
|
19 |
Middlebury College |
KJ Krasco |
3.695 |
|
20 |
Gustavus Adolphus College |
Laurie Kelly |
3.688 |
|
21 |
Pacific Lutheran University |
Lee Aduddell |
3.684 |
|
22 |
Simpson College |
Brian Niemuth |
3.680 |
|
23 |
University of Wisconsin-River Falls |
Shelby Lyman |
3.668 |
|
24 |
University of Chicago |
Maria Williamson |
3.667 |
|
25 |
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater |
Keri Carollo |
3.663 |
Special Mention: Skidmore College, Jessica Turner, 3.660; John Carroll University, Elizabeth Andrews, 3.660; Bethany College, Mikayla Lopez, 3.657; University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Matt Hockett, 3.657; Colorado College, Katherine Menendez, 3.654; Bryn Mawr College, Carla Coleman, 3.652; Oberlin College, Stephany Dunmyer, 3.650; University of Redlands, Rich Murphy, 3.649; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lucia Robinson-Griggs, 3.647; Saint Vincent College, James Petruska, 3.645; Gwynedd Mercy University, Keith Mondillo, 3.644; Macalester College, Katie Kollar, 3.634; Messiah University, Mike Miller, 3.627; SUNY Geneseo, Alyssa Polosky, 3.621; Luther College, Amanda Bailey, 3.620; Shenandoah University, Melissa Smeltzer-Kraft, 3.619; Concordia College, Kim Wagers, 3.614; Springfield College, Naomi Graves, 3.613; DePauw University, Kristin Huffman, 3.613; Westminster College, Talisha Washington, 3.611; Husson University, Kissy Walker, 3.609; St. Joseph's College (ME), Mike McDevitt, 3.604; Ursinus College, Bobbi Morgan, 3.598; Carthage College, Megan Jones, 3.598; Marymount University, Margaret White, 3.596; Emory University, Misha Jackson, 3.595; St Catherine University, Donald Mulhern, 3.595; University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Brad Fischer, 3.594; Catholic University, Matt Donohue, 3.591; Yeshiva University, Bill Zatulskis, 3.588; Moravian University, Mary Beth Spirk, 3.586; Calvin University, Mark Christner, 3.583; Emmanuel College (MA), Andy Yosinoff, 3.579; Illinois Wesleyan University, Mia Smith, 3.571; College of St. Scholastica, Jason Schmitz, 3.571; Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges, Chanel Murchison, 3.562; Hope College, Brian Morehouse, 3.559; King's College, Caitlin Hadzimichalis, 3.551; Tufts University, Jill Pace, 3.543; University of Dubuque, Justin Smith, 3.541; University of Scranton, Ben O'Brien, 3.534; Haverford College, Grace Elliott, 3.526; SUNY New Paltz, James Seward, 3.516; University of Mount Union, Suzanne Venet Pietz, 3.516; DeSales University, Fred Richter, 3.514; Albion College, Doreen Carden, 3.511; Marietta College, Kole Vivian, 3.507; Westminster College, Rosanne Scott, 3.504; St. Norbert College, Amanda Perry, 3.504; St. Olaf College, Kelly Mahlum, 3.503; Illinois Institute of Technology, Carissa Sain, 3.501; Ripon College, Lauren Busalacchi, 3.501; Hardin-Simmons University, Kendra Whitehead, 3.500; Russell Sage College, Allison Coleman, 3.500; Dickinson College, Aby Diop, 3.498; Illinois College, Jennifer McCormick, 3.489; Kalamazoo College, Katie Miller, 3.478; Denison University, Maureen Hirt, 3.474; Kenyon College, Mary Corbett, 3.473; Sarah Lawrence College, Bradley Alexander, 3.470; York College (PA), Betsy Witman, 3.468; Chapman University, Carol Jue, 3.467; Edgewood College, Chaia Huff, 3.462; Central College, Moran Lonning, 3.456; University of Minnesota, Morris, Tim Grove, 3.447; William Paterson University, Erin Monahan, 3.440; Susquehanna University, Gabrielle Holko, 3.411; Otterbein University, Diana Noles, 3.408; Suffolk University, Ed Leyden, 3.407; Christopher Newport University, Bill Broderick, 3.394; Kean University, Mandy King, 3.391; Worcester State University, Karen Tessmer, 3.383; Willamette University, Peg Swadener, 3.365; Arcadia University, Jackie Hartzell, 3.349; Roger Williams University, Kelly Thompson, 3.347; Swarthmore College, Dawn Grant, 3.329; Western Connecticut State University, Kimberley Rybczyk, 3.328; Anderson University, Jon Gin, 3.328; Saint Mary's College (IN), Melissa Makielski, 3.327; Penn College, Britni Mohney, 3.316; Franklin & Marshall College, Brianna Spector, 3.310; University of Mary Washington, Deena Applebury, 3.308; Gallaudet University, Stephanie Stevens, 3.307; Fredonia State University, Sarah Cartmill, 3.304; Capital University, Camille McPherson, 3.291; University of Lynchburg, Allison Nichols, 3.238; McDaniel College, Christin Gowan, 3.228; St. Mary's College of Maryland, Brittney Kenney, 3.220; Gettysburg College, Nate Davis, 3.172.
NAIA
|
Rank |
Institution |
Head Coach |
GPA |
|
1 |
University of Pikeville |
Clifton Williams |
3.877 |
|
2 |
Hastings College |
Jina Douglas |
3.808 |
|
3 |
University of Providence |
Bill Himmelberg |
3.794 |
|
4 |
Tabor College |
Shawn Reed |
3.783 |
|
5 |
Sterling College |
K.C. Bassett |
3.759 |
|
T6 |
Northwestern College |
Kristin Rotert |
3.757 |
|
T6 |
John Brown University |
Jeff Soderquist |
3.757 |
|
8 |
University of Jamestown |
Thad Sankey |
3.755 |
|
9 |
Freed-Hardeman University |
Joshua Epperson |
3.746 |
|
10 |
Grand View University |
Jasmine Stohr |
3.724 |
|
11 |
University of the Cumberlands |
Rick Reeves |
3.718 |
|
12 |
Mid-America Christian University |
Hannah Moeller |
3.716 |
|
13 |
Taylor University |
Jody Martinez |
3.661 |
|
14 |
Faulkner University |
Reed Sutton |
3.636 |
|
15 |
Eastern Oregon University |
Anji Weissenfluh |
3.630 |
|
16 |
Kansas Wesleyan University |
Ryan Showman |
3.619 |
|
17 |
Grace College |
Dan Davis |
3.609 |
|
18 |
Carroll College |
Rachelle Sayers |
3.598 |
|
19 |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (AZ) |
Michael Trujillo |
3.588 |
|
20 |
Culver-Stockton College |
Janette Burgin |
3.571 |
|
21 |
Waldorf University |
Shawn Chaffin |
3.566 |
|
22 |
Lewis-Clark State College |
Brian Orr |
3.546 |
|
23 |
Columbia College (MO) |
James Arnold |
3.520 |
|
24 |
Indiana Institute of Technology |
Jessica Biggs |
3.490 |
|
25 |
University of Rio Grande |
David Smalley |
3.464 |
Special Mention: Westmont College, Kirsten Moore, 3.453; Warner University, Nikki Jessee, 3.438; Lourdes University, Tandy Bradford, 3.392; Montana State-Northern, Chris Mouat, 3.344.
Two-Year College*
|
Rank |
Institution |
Head Coach |
GPA |
|
1 |
Alpena Community College |
Cynthia DeRocher |
3.615 |
|
2 |
Solano College |
Matt Borchert |
3.528 |
|
3 |
New Mexico Junior College |
Austin Mefford |
3.491 |
|
4 |
Minnesota West Community and Technical College |
Rosalie Hayenga |
3.452 |
|
5 |
Highland Community College |
Jordon O'Brien |
3.381 |
|
6 |
Ventura College |
Ned Mircetic |
3.337 |
|
7 |
San Jose City College |
Terri Oberg-Hearn |
3.251 |
|
8 |
Arkansas State University Mid-South |
Addie B. Lees |
3.178 |
|
9 |
Howard College |
John Ishee |
3.169 |
|
10 |
Pratt Community College |
Eric Rodewald |
3.037 |
* There were only 10 institutions eligible for ranking in the two-year college division.
A team’s GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0) earned by the total number of academic hours attempted by all team members in the academic terms (semesters or quarters) that the season spans. Weighted grades are converted to a 4.0 scale. The GPAs are rounded to the nearest thousandth of a point. Teams are nominated for the honor by the WBCA member head coach. A team must have a 3.000 or better GPA to be nominated.
About the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
# # #