SOMERSET, N.J. (July 28, 2011) – For the third-straight year the student-athletes of Saint Francis University have earned the Northeast Conference's prestigious Institutional Academic Award. The Red Flash collectively posted a 3.270 grade point average in 21 sports to prevail in a tight race to claim the league's top spot, academically.

The Red Flash edged out Robert Morris (3.256) and Wagner (3.201) for the honor. Overall, the NEC's 4,800+ student-athletes averaged a 3.133 GPA for the 2010-11 year and 11 of the league's 12 core member institutions finished the year with at least a 3.0 GPA.

“This is fantastic news for everyone connected to Red Flash Athletics and we are honored to have received this award from the Northeast Conference," said Bob Krimmel, Saint Francis Director of Athletics.

“Special thanks must go to our student-athletes for continuing our tradition of academic excellence and to our faculty for motivating our students through their teaching and mentoring in and out of the classroom. The leadership of John Krimmel, our Director of Student-Athlete Development, working with our coaches; the Academic Center for Enrichment; the Advising & Retention Office under the direction of Renee Bernard; and our Faculty Athletic Representatives, Brent Ottaway and Ed Zovinka, have provided us with a winning team in the academic arena.

“We are humbled to once again be honored and know that our Franciscan Goals of Higher Education and our President, Father Gabriel Zeis, have given us the spiritual leadership and faith to accomplish our academic goals at Saint Francis University.”

Saint Francis not only improved on its 3.239 GPA from a year ago, but the 3.270 figure represents a high water mark for the Conference since the award was first established for the 2006-07 academic year. The Red Flash had 19 of their 21 teams record a GPA in excess of 3.0, led by the men's tennis team with a program-best 3.447. The men's tennis squad also took home a Team Academic Award with the highest GPA in their respective sport.

"Congratulations to Saint Francis University for their third consecutive Institutional Academic Award with a record breaking GPA of 3.270," said Noreen Morris, NEC Commissioner. "In addition, we pay tribute to all of the NEC student-athletes for averaging an equally impressive 3.133 GPA. Clearly this accomplishment demonstrates the league-wide commitment to the academic growth and success of our student-athletes."

The Institutional Academic Award is presented annually to the NEC member who attains the highest overall institutional grade-point average amongst student-athletes competing in sports sponsored by the NCAA Division I conference. The NEC currently sponsors a total of 23 sports: baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's bowling, men's and women's cross country, football, field hockey, men's and women's golf, women's lacrosse, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, men's and women's soccer, softball, women's swimming, men's and women's tennis and women's volleyball.