Fall Scholar Teams Named
Amidst the turbulence of the COVID pandemic, collegiate swimmers and divers showed impressive academic resilience. More than 450 institutions were named to the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America’s Scholar All-America team for grades posted for the Fall 2020 semester.
Swimmers and divers showed remarkable resilience in the classroom this semester, all during a global pandemic upending much of their academic and athletic schedules. More than 450 institutions were named to the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America’s Scholar All-America team for their grades during the Fall 2020 semester.
The MIT men boasted the nation’s highest GPA across all divisions with a 3.90 team average. The Michigan State Spartans led all women’s teams with a 3.87.
“Give our kids credit,” MSU Head Coach Matt Gianiodis. “They had every reason to fold the tent, but they certainly accepted what they could control and took pride in how they represent Michigan State. At MSU we call that ‘Spartans Will.’”
Harvard’s men (3.84) and Johns Hopkins’ women (3.87) rounded out the Division I and III leaders respectively. Top marks in Division II went to West Chester’s men (3.75) and West Florida’s women (3.81). Keiser (3.57) and Lincoln (3.76) led the men’s and women’s classes in the NAIA while Mt. San Antonio’s men (3.56) and Southwest Oregon’s women (3.51) led all Junior Colleges.
Seventeen teams earned the honor for the first time. These include men’s teams at Bethel University (IN), Colby-Sawyer, Davenport, Gallaudet, Holy Cross, Long Island University, Mt. Sac, Plymouth State, Southern Connecticut, and Stevenson. Women’s team earning the award for the first time include Holy Cross, Lynchburg, Piedmont, Plymouth State, Sterling, Stonehill, and UNC Pembroke.
Founded in 1922, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA), is the nation’s first organization of college coaches. The mission of the CSCAA is to advance the sport of swimming and diving with coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy, and professional development.