Oct. 22, 2007

Garden City, N.Y. - Eight 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 for the second straight year with a 3.345 cumulative grade point average.

Four-time scholar-athlete Sheila Feldman led the way, while Julie Schaper and Dely Francisco each made their third appearance. Sophomore Christina O'Hara was honored for the second time, as Ashley Vinti, Kyleen Klement, Samantha Johnston and Diana DiPiano each appeared on the Scholar-Athlete list for the first time. Athletes who maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher are recognized as scholar-athletes.

Adelphi finished the 2007 season 39-17, making its fourth overall NCAA Division II Regional appearance and setting a school record for wins in a season. The Panthers were ranked as high as eighth in the NFCA national poll and closed out the season ranked 16th.

This is the sixth consecutive year that Adelphi has ranked in the top-20 in the nation for its team GPA. The Panthers were one of only two schools from the East Coast Conference to appear in the top-20 and one of just five from the Northeast Region.

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 55 Adelphi student-athletes have been recognized with NFCA academic honors.