SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse College golf team not only excelled on the course during the fall portion of its 2018-19 schedule, but also in the classroom, earning the inaugural Valkyries Academic Excellence Award as announced by Athletic Director Jennifer Bell.
Each team worked diligently in the classroom during the fall in an effort to be the first winners of the Valkyries Academic Excellence Award.
"Knowing that our student-athletes have always worked really hard in the classroom, as well as how competitive our coaches are, I thought a healthy competition would be good for us," said Bell. After discussing this idea with our Faculty Athletics Representative, Dr. Chandra Hopkins, I knew I was on the right track. We introduced the Valkyries Academic Excellence Award about mid-semester, and we have been anxiously waiting to see what team would win the inaugural award."
As a whole the Converse athletic department finished the 2018 fall semester with a cumulative 3.1 GPA, with the majority of teams recording at least a 3.0.
"I am very pleased with how well our student-athletes performed in the classroom this fall," said Bell. I am proud to say that the majority of our teams achieved at least a 3.0 GPA for the semester, while the Athletic Department set a new departmental record with a 3.1 GPA."
Converse Golf, this semester's winning team, boasted a tremendous GPA of 3.62 to capture the crown and be honored as the team of academic excellence.
"Our Golf team finished the semester with a 3.62 GPA, one of the highest team grade point averages I have ever seen in my career in college athletics, and I am thrilled we get to recognize them as the first recipient of this award," added Bell. The young ladies who represent this team went above and beyond in the classroom while also competing at a high level on the course during the fall semester. I look forward to presenting them with the trophy in the weeks ahead."
Athletics are a huge part of Converse, but when it comes to the student-athlete, the student part will always come first for the Valkyries. "Since day one of my time as Director of Athletics, we have stressed the importance of academics with our coaches and student-athletes, and this overall GPA shows that academics continue to be a priority for us," added Bell.
The Valkyries Academic Excellence Award will be given to the team that possesses the highest grade point average at the end of each semester. A rotating trophy will be presented to the winning team at a home athletic event during the subsequent semester. In addition, a perpetual plaque recognizing each semester's winning team will be placed in the Weisiger Center.