ATLANTA, Ga. -- Both Trine University and Hope College represent the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) on the 2021-22 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll.  Five additional member institutions earned an Honorable Mention for their academic success.

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 2021-22 season is the 27th in which the WBCA has compiled the honor rolls.

This year’s release also marks the first year in which all teams which qualified for the top 25 rankings with the minimum 3.0 GPA also are recognized for their academic accomplishment.

“The WBCA family of coaches is committed to the student-athlete experience and celebrates these teams that have demonstrated excellence in the classroom,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew.  “This year’s WBCA Academic Top 25 is a powerful list of teams and their head coaches who have winning cultures that prepare their student-athletes for success in life.

“We are also pleased this year to recognize all teams that achieved the minimum 3.0 combined GPA required for nomination. That alone is no small feat considering the rigors of playing college athletics.”

Trine women's basketball, coached by Andy Rang, is ranked eighth in Division III with a grade-point average of 3.707.  The Hope women's basketball program, which is led by Brian Morehouse, is No. 23 in Division III with a 3.641 GPA.

The MIAA programs receiving an Honorable Mention include the following:  Calvin University (3.564), Saint Mary's College (3.542), Albion College (3.407), Kalamazoo College (3.305), and Adrian College (3.229).

WBCA 2021-22 Academic Top 25 Honor Rolls release