(DCC release)
GLENDIVE - The DCC men's basketball, women's basketball, softball and volleyball teams were honored by the NJCAA for academic achievements during the 2019-2020 school year. In a press release last Friday, the NJCAA recognized all of the athletic teams across the country who achieved a team GPA of 3.0 or higher. Despite an academic year that was interrupted due to COVID-19, DCC student-athletes still flourished in the classroom.
With a 3.14 GPA, the Mon-Dak Champion and Region XIII Champion Buccaneer basketball team had one of the top 25 GPA's in the country out of nearly 450 men's basketball teams. They had the highest GPA of any basketball team in the conference. Miles Community College was close behind with 3.12.
The Buccaneer softball team (3.48) and women's basketball team (3.32) also finished in the top 50 in the country. It was the 5th year in a row that the women's basketball team was honored. Women's basketball now awaits their national ranking for the WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association), which will be there 5th year of recognition as well. DCC volleyball was also recognized by the NJCAA for their success.
With 122 student-athletes in the 7 different sports this past year at DCC, the department had an overall GPA of 3.18. Six of the seven sports increased their team GPA this year and five of the sports had over a 3.0. Rodeo (not an NJCAA sport) had the highest GPA at 3.53.
Fifty four DCC student-athletes were selected Academic All-Conference which was 8 more than last year and 2nd most in the conference. Thirty eight DCC student-athletes were on the President's Honor List and 41 student-athletes graduated from DCC in May.
"Despite all the turmoil caused by COVID-19, our student-athletes achieved great things on the field, court and in the arena, but also achieved great things in the classroom," said DCC athletic director Joe Peterson. "Their academic success shows their determination and work ethic towards their education. Our coaches do an outstanding job to ensure they excel athletically and academically; and we are blessed with great faculty, tutors and support staff who go the extra mile to help all of our students at DCC."
