Gadsden State Community College is proud to announce that four athletic teams earned honors for their work in the classroom – qualifying for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Academic teams for 2014-2015. Cardinal teams qualifying include: men’s tennis with a 3.33 grade point average; women’s volleyball and softball each with a 3.27 GPA and women’s basketball with a 3.01 GPA.

To qualify as an academic team, athletic teams must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Coaches for the teams are Buster Stewart (tennis), Connie Clark (volleyball), Shane Sanderson (softball) and John Butts (women’s basketball).

In addition to the team honors, Cardinal softball player Bethany Chamblee of Boaz and tennis player James “Granger” Surrett of Centre received the NJCAA Superior Academic Achievement Award with GPAs of 3.90 or higher.

Five student-athletes with GPAs of 3.60 or higher received the Exemplary Academic Achievement Award, including Brittney Tidmore of Collinsville (softball), Patrick Edmonds of Birmingham and Garrett Preston of Pleasant Valley (men’s basketball), Hannah Liverett of Boaz (volleyball) and Michael Bizilia of Auburn (men’s tennis).

“We are extremely proud of our student athletes for their hard work in the classroom and athletic venues. It is indeed an honor to have four of our programs recognized nationally for their academic achievements,” Athletic Director Mike Cancilla said.