9 Bruins named Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- In an announcement made today by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), nine Bellevue University softball players were named 2025 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes for the 2024-25 academic year.
Those named to the prestigious list include Bruins: Emma Crisman, Katie Cunningham, Abby Dworak, Laila Fiscus, Kaitlyn Fisher, Breanne McMurtry, Savannah Short, Alexa Sidel, and Mariah Unverzagt.
The Bruins ranked 30th among NAIA schools with a team GPA of 3.509.
A total of 9,199 collegiate student-athletes captured Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors for the 2024-25 academic year.
Under the direction of head coach Shelby Shelton, Paris Junior College posted a 3.959 GPA in the classroom and topped all two-year programs. Along with Saint Louis University (3.910), Paris JC was just one of two programs to achieve a 3.9 mark, while a total of 13 teams earned a 3.8 GPA or better. Twenty-one Dragons earned scholar-athlete recognition.
Saint Louis University collected top honors in NCAA Division I with the second-highest overall GPA. For the second consecutive year, Faulkner University led the NAIA with a 3.897 GPA. Auburn University at Montgomery posted a 3.882 GPA to top NCAA Division II programs, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute led NCAA DIII with a 3.830 GPA.
The rankings and honors recognize the academic prowess of softball teams across the Association's membership categories. NCAA Division III led the way with 2,565 student-athletes earning a 3.5 grade-point average or higher for 2024-25. NCAA Division I followed with 2,544 and NCAA Division II with 2,179. Junior colleges and NAIA came in with 895 and 1,010 student-athletes, respectively. Six student-athletes from Penn State Scranton earned recognition in the Other Four-Year category.
Team GPAs and scholar-athletes are submitted by member head coaches. High School team GPA winners and scholar-athletes will be announced on Sept. 4.
Top-10 Teams
NCAA Division I
1. Saint Louis University – 3.910; 2. Butler University – 3.809; 3. University of Nebraska Omaha – 3.787; 4. DePaul University – 3.783; 5. Jacksonville University – 3.767; t6. Western Kentucky University – 3.740; t6. Eastern Illinois University – 3.740; 8. University of Wisconsin, Green Bay – 3.737; 9. Southern Illinois University – 3.734; 10. Youngstown State University – 3.727.
NCAA Division II
1. Auburn University at Montgomery – 3.882; 2. American International College – 3.811; 3. University of Central Missouri – 3.800; 4. Southwest Baptist University – 3.778; 5. Kentucky State University – 3.766; 6. Tusculum University – 3.750; 7. Molloy University – 3.747; 8. Mansfield University – 3.740; t9. Lee University – 3.736; t9. McKendree University – 3.736.
NCAA Division III
1. Worcester Polytechnic Institute – 3.830; 2. Pomona-Pitzer Colleges – 3.827; 3. Bates College – 3.790; 4. Middlebury College – 3.785; 5. Keuka College – 3.775; 6. Trine University – 3.774; t7. Johnson & Wales University – 3.770; t7. Wheaton College (Mass.) – 3.770; 9. Haverford College – 3.769; 10. Lancaster Bible College – 3.767.
NAIA
1. Faulkner University – 3.897; 2. Grand View University – 3.830; 3. College of Coastal Georgia – 3.790; 4. Ottawa University (Kan.) – 3.773; 5. Graceland University – 3.756; 6. Spring Arbor University – 3.752; 7. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) – 3.743; 8. Missouri Baptist University – 3.670; 9. Central Methodist University – 3.662; 10. Peru State University – 3.651.
Junior Colleges
1. Paris Junior College – 3.959; 2. Bryant & Stratton College - Wisconsin – 3.850; 3. Colby Community College – 3.820; t4. Indian Hills Community College – 3.800; t4. Parkland College – 3.800; 6. Itawamba Community College – 3.796; 7. McLennan Community College – 3.774; 8. Northwest-Shoals Community College – 3.758; 9. Eastern Oklahoma State College – 3.745; 10. University of South Carolina Union – 3.740.