Jan 13 - The TIU Women's Soccer program placed eight student-athletes on the NAIA Academic All-American list, the most of any school in the nation.  The team finished with an overall GPA of 3.4 for the Fall 2008 semester.
In order to be a recipient of the NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athlete award, one must fulfill these requirements: the recipient must be a junior or above in academic standing; has been in attendance at the nominating institution a minimum of one full year of attendance; has a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of nomination at the nominating institution; has been certified as eligible.

To go along with the 3.4 Fall GPA, the Lady Trojans have earned 3.3 cumulative GPA.  Coach Gilliam stated, "Although we were in and out of the NAIA national rankings for a good portion of the season and certainly desire on-field excellence, I am proud of the ladies for remaining focused on the main reason they are here, which is to learn and receive a great education."

The players who made the list include:

Natalie Ziertan
Ruth Kratzer
Abby Seeland
Serena Bjurlin
Njoki Mutua
Christa Parro
Karen Ibata
Becky Dean

All four of the team captains were represented on the Academic All American list.

In addition to the these honors, the womens soccer team placed 15 of 31 team members on the TIU Dean's list.  The Dean's list is for students earning a 3.25 GPA in all academic work.