Nov. 3, 2006

Garden City, N.Y. - Five members of the Adelphi University softball team were recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) with Scholar-Athlete honors. In addition, the team ranked 20th in Division II with a 3.329 cumulative grade point average.

Leading the way is three-time scholar athlete and senior Sheila Feldman. Juniors Julie Schaper, Dely Francisco and Bailey Lawrence each make their second appearance while sophomore Christina O'Hara is a first-time honoree. Athletes who maintain a 3.5 gpa or higher are recognized as scholar-athletes.

Adelphi finished the 2006 season 33-17, making its third overall NCAA Division II Regional appearance. The Panthers finished third in the tournament with a 2-1 record.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Adelphi has ranked in the top 20 in the nation for its team gpa. The Panthers are the top ranked school in the East Coast Conference (ECC), with only three schools in the Northeast region having higher marks.

The team winners are based on cumulative team grade point averages submitted by NFCA member head coaches for the academic year. The Panthers highest ranking of fourth (3.460 gpa) came in 2002. Since 1999 a total of 47 Adelphi student-athletes have been recognized with NFCA academic honors.