Five ETBU Athletic Teams Secure National Academic Awards Now!
BREAKING: Five athletic programs from East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) have just been awarded prestigious national academic accolades. This announcement, made last week, highlights the impressive academic achievements of the university’s teams across various sports, all of which participated in post-season national tournaments.
ETBU’s Baseball, Men’s Tennis, Women’s Tennis, Volleyball, and Beach Volleyball teams all received team academic awards, showcasing their dedication both on the field and in the classroom.
With an impressive 3.76 GPA, the beach volleyball team led the charge, followed closely by women’s tennis with 3.70 and volleyball with 3.69. These accolades underscore the teams’ commitment to excellence in athletics and academics.
The Baseball team, under the leadership of Head Coach Jared Hood, earned the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Team Academic Excellence award for the 10th consecutive year, finishing the year with a cumulative GPA of 3.58—a notable improvement from their 3.39 average in the previous season. The team also triumphed in the American Southwest Conference (ASC) Tournament Championship, while hosting the NCAA Marshall, Texas Regional Tournament.
In men’s tennis, the team secured the ITA All-Academic Team Award for the third straight year, finishing with a solid 3.62 GPA. Notably, nine student-athletes were recognized as ITA Scholar-Athletes, achieving a GPA of at least 3.5.
The women’s tennis program celebrated its 10th consecutive year of ITA academic awards, achieving a remarkable 3.70 GPA and winning the 2025 ASC Tournament Championship. Six student-athletes were also honored as ITA Scholar-Athletes.
Volleyball continues its success with the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the sixth year. The team finished the year with an overall GPA of 3.69 and a stellar 3.83 GPA in the spring semester, marking their second consecutive ASC Tournament Championship.
ETBU beach volleyball, now in its third year, has also made a mark academically, leading the athletics department with a 3.76 GPA and achieving a 3.84 GPA in the spring. The team participated in their third AVCA Small College National Tournament this year.
To qualify for these academic awards, teams must meet strict criteria, including maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. The emphasis on academic achievement reflects ETBU’s commitment to fostering student-athletes who excel both in their sports and their studies.
This announcement not only highlights the achievements of these teams but also serves as an inspiring reminder of the hard work and dedication of student-athletes. As ETBU continues to excel in both athletics and academics, the community remains proud of their accomplishments.
What’s next? As the academic year progresses, all eyes will be on ETBU’s teams as they strive to maintain their high standards, with the upcoming seasons promising even more opportunities for both athletic success and academic recognition.
