Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Capture MAC Academic Achievement Award For Ninth Time
8/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Student-Athlete Services
MOUNT PLEASANT – For the fifth straight year and the ninth time overall, Central Michigan University student-athletes have captured the Mid-American Conference Institutional Academic Achievement Award.
The award is presented to the MAC school with the highest overall grade point average for student-athletes competing in MAC sponsored sports. The Chippewas turned in a cumulative 3.075 grade point average among 368 student-athletes competing in 16 sports during the 2005-06 season.
The five straight titles is the longest consecutive run in the 12-year history of the award. After tying Ball State for the award in 1996-97, CMU rattled off another three championships before Bowling Green took the top honor in 2000-01. The Chippewas regained the crown a year later and haven’t given it up since.
“The ultimate goal of our student-athletes is to be successful in the classroom,” Athletics Director Dave Heeke said. “Once again this year, CMU turned in the most outstanding performance in the conference and we are proud of that. Academic success will always be a core value of our department.
“This success wouldn’t be possible without the academic support system we have in place. The tradition we have built with this award is due in large part to the commitment of Pat Podoll and Deb McAlpin.”
Podoll is in her 16th year as an assistant athletics director in charge of academics. McAlpin is in her eighth year as an academic adviser.
“We’re proud of the fact that CMU student-athletes continue to balance academics and athletics successfully,” Podoll said. “The support of our coaching staff and administration has been key, along with the commitment from the student-athletes. The award has been a source of pride for the student-athletes. They talk about it with each other and are really starting to get competitive about keeping it at CMU.”
Eastern Michigan finished second this year with a 3.073 grade point average. The only closer race in the history of the award was when CMU and Ball State tied for the award in 1997.
Previous Winners
1994-95 Bowling Green
1995-96 Bowling Green
1996-97 Central Michigan, Ball State
1997-98 Central Michigan
1998-99 Central Michigan
1999-00 Central Michigan
2000-01 Bowling Green
2001-02 Central Michigan
2002-03 Central Michigan
2003-04 Central Michigan
2004-05 Central Michigan
2005-06 Central Michigan
2005-06 GPA Ranking Breakdown
| School | MAC Sports | S-Athletes | GPA | ||
| Akron | 17 | 341 | 2.977 | ||
| Ball State | 18 | 368 | 2.995 | ||
| Bowling Green | 17 | 355 | 2.97 | ||
| Buffalo | 19 | 491 | 2.833 | ||
| Central Michigan | 16 | 368 | 3.075 | ||
| Eastern Michigan | 19 | 411 | 3.073 | ||
| Kent State | 18 | 373 | 2.88 | ||
| Miami | 17 | 415 | 2.98 | ||
| Northern Illinois | 17 | 376 | 3.036 | ||
| Ohio | 19 | 438 | 2.962 | ||
| Toledo | 16 | 330 | 3.010 | ||
| Western Michigan | 15 | 345 | 3.04 |
