AVCA Release | AVCA Award Winners | MIAC Release

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Bethel University volleyball team has once again received the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2008-2009 season. The AVCA announced that a record 409 teams earned the award, smashing the previous high mark of 354 schools set a year ago.

Bethel was one of six teams from the MIAC, and one of 77 from NCAA Division III to earn the award.

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 AVCA, with its headquarters in Lexington, Ky., is managed by IMG Associations.  The mission of the AVCA is to develop and grow the sport of volleyball; with a membership of over 4,500 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.