2013-14 AVCA Team Academic Award

Lexington, KY – Recognized for the first time in program history, Academy of Art University Volleyball has received the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award for the 2013-2014 season.

"Our program focuses on pursuing excellence in three areas: Competing for conference and national championships, engaging the community, and pursuing academic excellence," head coach Ed Jackson said. "The AVCA Team Academic Award is one of our program goals and to see a dramatic improvement in the past two years shows the commitment our athletes have in becoming complete student-athletes."

The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale.

ART U posted a 3.32 cumulative GPA in 2013-14, earning them the distinguished honor of being one of just two squads from the Pacific West Conference. Additionally, Academy of Art was one of six institutions from the NCAA Division II West Region to receive the honor.

"Most people I feel would think, 'Well it's an art school. The classes are easy,'" Coach Jackson said. "To the contrary, I've learned the art and design fields are very subjective and our students are not only graded on their work, but how they interact in critiquing other students work."

This year, a total of 11 Urban Knights delivered individual cumulative GPAs above 3.00 and were awarded PacWest Academic All-Conference Team awards for their efforts.

Over 1,000 different schools have earned the award in the program's 22-year history, with exactly 6,126 awards been given out in total. Additionally, there were six programs to earn recognition in the inaugural sand category.

"Academy of Art is a very demanding art instituion," Coach Jackson said. "With that in mind, our university has developed a strong academic reputation. For our students, it's more than showing up to class and listening to a lecture; they have to train on the court, then go off to studios and train for hours developing their artistic and creative talents. Being a successful artist-athlete requires a significant time commitment. I am very proud of our athletes and their willingness to sacrifice their social calendar to achieve this award."