March 5, 2009

NEW ORLEANS --- The Samford University cross country teams have been named All-Academic by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, it was announced on Thursday. The Bulldog men had an overall team average of 3.276 while the women posted an average of 3.301 for the 2008 season.

For the Southern Conference, Samford was one of seven teams on the women's side and four teams on the men's side to receive the honors. Women's teams from Appalachian State, College of Charleston, Chattanooga, Davidson, Furman and Western Carolina and men's teams from Chattanooga, Davidson and Furman were also recognized alongside Samford.

Iona College was named the 2008 NCAA Division I USTFCCCA Men's Cross Country Scholar Team of the Year while Vanderbilt University had the highest overall team grade point average (3.755). A record total of 110 Division I men's programs received the USTFCCCA's All-Academic Team honors this year compared to 98 schools earning the honor last season.

The University of Washington was named the 2008 NCAA Division I USTFCCCA Women's Cross Country Scholar Team of the Year while the University of South Carolina had the highest overall team grade point average (3.767). A record total of 160 Division I women's programs received the USTFCCCA's All-Academic Team honors this year compared to 158 schools from last season.

Thirty-five percent of all Division I institutions that sponsor men's cross country and 45 percent that sponsor women's cross country received the honor. In addition, seven of the top 10 teams and 14 of the top 20 teams at this year's NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships were named USTFCCCA All-Academic Teams.

For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, they must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA Regional Meet. The team must also have a minimum 3.00 team cumulative grade point average.