Saint Francis University Athletics has won its second-straight Northeast Conference (NEC) Institutional Academic Award, announced by the league on Thursday. It is a conference-record sixth award since its inception in 2007-08.
 
"As an athletic department and institution, we are proud beyond measure of being recognized again as the Northeast Conference Institutional Academic Award recipient," said Director of Athletics James Downer. Combined with their continual displays of dedication, sacrifice and perseverance, the honor speaks to the limitless abilities our student-athletes at Saint Francis University. Maintaining our tradition of winning the NEC Institutional Academic Award will always remain a key objective towards realizing the paramount goals of our department. The continuous commitment towards achieving academic success displayed by our student-athletes, faculty, coaches and staff is a true testament of this accomplishment."    
 
The Red Flash student-athletes posted a 3.479 grade point average across 21 sports. The GPA was the fourth-highest in NEC annals as the Loretto program has now compiled three of the top four single-year GPAs in the 16-year history of the award. 

Prior to its repeat, Saint Francis finished second in the NEC Institutional Academic Award standings in 2019-20, and has earned a spot in the top-three in each of the last eight years. The Red Flash also won the award in 2017-18 and three straight years from 2008-11.

"I am so proud of our dedicated student-athletes for their tenacity in achieving the highest level of excellence on the field and in the classroom. This recognition is a testament to not only our student-athletes, but the outstanding support system we have in our athletic and academic staff who have supported them along the way," said Rev. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., Ph.D., University President. "Receiving this distinguished award for yet another year is a testament to the competitive excellence both within and outside of the classroom that Red Flash is known."

At year's end, 20-of-21 Saint Francis teams that competed in NEC sponsored sports posted at least a 3.0 GPA and 12 compiled a 3.5 or better GPA on the year.
 
In addition, field hockey earned the NEC Team GPA Award for the second-straight year and the fourth time dating back to the 2009-10 season (2011-12, 2012-13, 2020-21, 2021-22).
 
"We are proud but not surprised by our team's GPA," said head coach Betta Ceretta. "As coaches, we witness first hand the effort these young women put into all areas of their lives. Congratulations, ladies!"

Women's tennis received the NEC Team GPA Award for the second time since 2009-10 and the first time since the 2019-20 campaign.
 
"I'm proud of the commitment this team has shown both in the classroom and on the court, said women's tennis head coach Eric Hovan. "They have come to expect academic achievement as a group and make a strong effort to continue what has always been a priority for Red Flash tennis. I'm sure this recognition will motivate both returning and new players to make a strong effort in the classroom this coming year."
 
The four NEC Team GPA Awards for field hockey is tied for second in Red Flash history with women's swimming (2012-13, 2016-17, 2017-18, ,2018-19) and both the women's indoor track and field team and outdoor track and field teams (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18), while the women's cross country team holds the record with seven NEC Team GPA Awards (2011-12, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2019-20).
 
Men's Tennis (2010-11, 2019-20, 2020-21), men's Indoor track and field and outdoor track and field (2009-10, 2016-17, 2017-18) have each won the NEC Team GPA Award three times, while men's cross country (2015-16, 2016-17) and women's golf (2009-10, 2013-14) have two Team GPA Awards apiece and softball has one (2015-16) since 2009-10.