Wallace-Dothan Lady Govs Earn Highest GPA in ACCC

Matt Boster

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Jul 28 2016 7:50 AM

Dothan:  The Wallace Community College-Dothan Lady Govs have proven themselves to be winners on and off the field this year. The team proved their academic excellence by being named a 2015-2016 NJCAA All-Academic Team, which requires a 3.0 GPA.

 

The team had the highest GPA (3.49) among all ACCC softball teams. Among the 31 athletic teams within the conference earning NJCAA honors, the Lady Govs earned the third highest GPA.

 

“This team was driven by playing hard and getting the most out of their education,” said Lady Govs Coach David Russo. “They committed to playing a demanding schedule with games, practices – and studying. They embraced the discipline demanded by this game and transferred it to their studies,” he said. While the team made each other accountable for attending classes, the coaching staff was accountable, too. There were many study sessions in the library that required attendance from players and coaches.

 

“This is a tremendous achievement,” said Dr. Linda C. Young, WCCD president. “I am so proud of all who helped these students become winners – both on and off the field. I especially want to thank Coach David Russo and Coach Claire Goodson.”

 

Caitlin Butler, a graduate of Ariton High School, played first base for the Lady Govs. She said that the team culture focused on academics, then athletics. “I really focused on being a student first. We all knew that we needed to concentrate on better grades to excel in life after college.”

 

Fellow Lady Gov Shannon Lord agreed. “Our coaches made sure that classes were top priority,” she remarked. And missing class was not an option. “You didn’t miss class unless you wanted to run triangles,” Lord said with a laugh. Lord, who is from Ft. Walton Beach, pitched for the Lady Govs.

 

Both girls were also academic All-Americans with the NJCAA. Butler was also recognized as an All-Alabama Academic Team member this past spring.

 

“I am so proud of our Lady Govs for earning this national recognition, and by doing so, proving a commitment to excellence both on and off the field,” said Ryan Spry, WCC director of student life. “Credit goes to our student-athletes, our coaches, our counseling staff, and our faculty, as it truly was a team effort to earn such an outstanding and lofty academic achievement.”

The Wallace Lady Govs finished second in the South Division for the 2015-2016 year, 34-19 in the regular softball season, and first in academics.

The 2015-2016 Wallace-Dothan Lady Govs earned the highest team GPA among other softball teams within the Alabama Community College Conference. The team also earned the 3^rd highest overall GPA in all NJCAA sports.

 

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