ABILENE - The ACU women's basketball program achieved its highest finish in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA)
Academic Top 25 Team Honor Rolls, which were released Wednesday.
The Wildcats placed 11th nationally, and 1st in Texas, among Division I universities with a 3.715 cumulative GPA for the 2023-2024 academic year.
"To be the highest ranked team in the WAC, and the highest ranked Division I team in the state of Texas is a really big deal for our program," said head coach
Julie Goodenough.
"The Division I schedule is busy with practices and travel, so for our players to be great time-managers and put the emphasis on academics like they did is incredible."
The women's basketball program finished in the top 30 in last year's WBCA Honor Roll. Goodenough said she and her staff challenged their players to climb into the top 25 this year, and the Wildcats far exceeded that goal.
"We have an exceptional staff in our Academic Center. Our advisors do a great job staying on top of our players and keeping tabs on assignments and grades," said Goodenough.
"We have a great appreciation for our players, our academic advisors, and my coaching staff which is very involved in the academic success of our players."
Goodenough added unlike nearly every other Div. I program in Texas, ACU allows its women's basketball players to choose any major regardless of how it affects their class schedule.
"It makes for a crazy practice schedule for sure, but if our players are passionate about biology, we want them to major in that. Then, they do really well in it because it's what they enjoy."
The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and two-year college women's basketball teams across the nation that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season.
"The WBCA is pleased to recognize those women's basketball programs that have committed themselves to excellence on the court and in the classroom," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "The 112 teams we honor this year strive to achieve all-around success and we commend their efforts. Congratulations!"
The 2023-2024 season is the 29th time the WBCA has awarded its honor rolls.
