Gustavus Women’s Basketball Achieves Academic Distinction
LILBURN, Ga. – The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) unveiled its Academic Top 25 Honor Roll on July 22, showcasing outstanding college women’s basketball teams based on their cumulative GPAs. In a remarkable achievement, the Gustavus women’s basketball team secured a place among the top performers.
Recognition and Rankings
This year, the Gusties attained a significant milestone, ranking 21st overall with a team GPA of 3.729. This impressive average places them second in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), following Saint Benedict, which achieved a GPA of 3.749 and finished 17th overall. At the national level in Division III, Colorado College earned the top spot with a GPA of 3.864, while Gustavus ranked 48th across all divisions.
A Record-Breaking Season
The 2024-25 season proved historic for the Gustavus women’s basketball program, as the team advanced to their first Elite Eight, concluding the season with a record of 29-2 (17-1 MIAC). This achievement not only marks the highest number of wins in a single season for the program but also signifies the first instance of a three-peat championship in the MIAC. Additionally, four players received all-conference honors for their exceptional performance.
WBCA’s Commitment to Excellence
WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew expressed pride in recognizing the teams dedicated to excelling both in athletic performance and academic pursuits. “The WBCA is pleased to recognize those women’s basketball programs that have committed themselves to excellence on the court and in the classroom,” she stated. “The 119 teams we honor this year strive to achieve all-around success and we commend their efforts. Congratulations!”
Calculating the GPA
The cumulative GPA for a team is determined by dividing the total quality points earned (where grades are assigned point values: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0) by the total academic hours attempted by all team members during the season. The GPA is computed on a 4.0 scale and rounded to the nearest thousandth. To qualify for the honor, a team must have a minimum GPA of 3.000 and be nominated by their head coach, who must be a WBCA member.
About the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association
Founded in 1981, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association represents coaches of women’s and girls’ basketball across all competition levels. The organization provides vital educational resources to enhance coaching skills, fosters connections among coaching professionals, and serves as a unified voice for coaches. Furthermore, it celebrates the remarkable contributions of coaches, players, and individuals advancing the sport. For more information, visit WBCA.org.
