Elon Softball Named an Easton/NFCA All-Academic Team

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Elon University softball team was recognized for its excellence in the classroom by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association on Oct. 10, as the Phoenix was placed on the 2016-17 Easton/NFCA Division-I All-Academic list with a 3.36 team cumulative grade point average from the 2016-17 academic year.

“I am very proud of our young ladies for the hard work they put in the classroom to receive this honor,” said Elon head coach Kathy Bocock. “This group truly epitomizes the term ‘student-athlete’ as our program as a whole emphasize the importance of education. To have nine members of the team receive (Scholar-Athlete) honors is a testament to their hard work and dedication in the classroom.”

Elon was one of 150 programs recognized on the All-Academic list, tying for 64th overall in the nation. Additionally, the Phoenix was also one of five teams from the Colonial Athletic Association honored along with College of Charleston, Drexel, Hofstra and UNCW.

Individually, nine Elon student-athletes were selected as Easton/NFCA Division I Scholar Athletes, including Walker Barbee, Abby Barker, Nicole Graber, Alaina Hall, Madison Kadlic, Carey Million, Hannah Olson, Jenna Reilly and Emily Roper.

To earn the prestigious honor, student-athletes must maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for the full academic year. Each of the Phoenix’s four graduated seniors of Hall, Million, Reilly and Roper made the list with Roper being honored for the fourth consecutive year. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native closed her career with a 4.0 GPA as a human service studies major and received the John W. Barney Memorial Award recognizing the Elon graduating senior with the highest cumulative grade-point average.

Elon continues its fall season this Friday, Oct. 13, at North Carolina. The Phoenix faces the Tar Heels at 4:45 p.m.