ST. LOUIS – One hundred four student-athletes have been named to the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) All-Academic Team with 4 being from Spalding University. The recipients were varsity members of the school’s baseball & softball teams for the spring 2011 season. Other selection criteria include: (1) Minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average, (2) At least sophomore academic standing and (3) Have at least one full year at current institution (first year transfers and true freshmen are not eligible).

The first recipient of the award was Cameron Norris. Norris, a 3rd basemen for the Spalding baseball team helped the Golden Eagles to a 30 win season on their way to a 4^th place finish at the Small College World Series. Three softball players garnered the award as well. Amanda Zwicker, Sarah Goff, and for the second time this season, Liz Schooler was named to the All-Academic Team. Schooler also received the award this fall as a member of the Women’s Cross Country team. The softball team had a banner year, finishing 3^rd overall in the country after a tremendous run at the USCAA College World Series.

This year the athletic department had 18 student-athletes receive All-Academic awards from the SLIAC conference.

Tags: Men's Baseball, Women's Softball by mstawski
No Comments »

Yesterday the USCAA announced that Spalding University has won the Director’s Cup for the 2010-11 school year.  The Director’s Cup is an award given annually to the top athletic school in the USCAA association. Each college or university that competes in their perspective sports receives points for how well they finish both in the regular season and at the national tournament. At the end of the year, all points are added up and a winner is named. This year, for the first time in school history, the Golden Eagles of Spalding will take home the Cup. Athletic Director Roger Burkman was very excited about the award stating, “This is a great honor and it’s a reflection of our coaches and student-athletes and their desire and determination to be great! “

                The trek to the Director’s Cup started off strong last fall as the Women’s Volleyball team, for the second year in a row, lost in the National Championship game and took home 2^nd place. In the same weekend, the Men’s Cross Country team had the race of their lives as they stunned the field and took home a National Championship for the first time in the program’s history.

                The winter would also see two teams make noise on the national level. After winning the SLIAC regular season championship the Men’s Basketball team, led by Dewhon McAfee finished 3^rd overall at the national tournament, bringing home their best finish in program history. Not to be outdone by their partners, the women’s basketball team, finished 3^rd overall as well, winning the 3^rd place game against Robert Morris Springfield.

                Continuing the trend of success, the spring saw two more of its teams make the national tournament, with both baseball and softball qualifying. The softball team, after losing a heartbreaker in extra innings, fought their way back to take home yet another 3^rd place finish in the country. The baseball team traveled to Old Orchard Beach, Maine and placed 4^th at the USCAA World Series behind the perfect game of freshmen sensation, Tyler Brown.

                With the athletic department finishing up their most successful season in school history, Roger Burkman attributes much of the success to the support system that Spalding offers the department. “We’re very fortunate to have the type of support we have from our President on down, here at Spalding University.  It makes life easier knowing the entire school has your back and is willing to help us improve and get better and continue to move athletics forward! “

                With 6 teams finishing in the top 4 in the nation, the department looks towards the future to continue the upward climb and continue their progression into NCAA athletics.

Tags: Men's Sports by mstawski
No Comments »