Springfield, Mass. - August 10, 2010 - The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced the 2010 Division III All-Academic Track & Field Teams and both Springfield College's men's and women's teams were honored for their academic success.On the men's side, a total of 68 institutions earned the distinction as a result of a cumulative team GPA of 3.1 or better. As a team, the Pride owned a team grade point average of 3.23. Three other men's programs from the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) earned the academic recognition as MIT (3.44), WPI (3.40), and Babson (3.31) were all honored.
As for the women, 106 institutions met the cumulative team GPA of 3.1. Including Springfield, which totaled a 3.44 team grade point average, the NEWMAC had five women's programs take home the academic honor. MIT tied Springfield for the highest GPA in the conference with a 3.44, followed by WPI (3.33), Babson (3.26), and Wheaton (3.15).
Individually, Springfield had six student-athletes recognized as USTFCCCA Division III Track & Field All-Academic Honorees. Led by Indoor Track Scholar Athlete of the Year Steve Headley, teammates Tom Brognano, and Matt Amendola were selected. As for the women, a trio were honored in Nikki Hay, Laurie Jenkins, and Colleen Brague.
To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 and have met either the NCAA Division III indoor or outdoor automatic or provisional qualifying standard.
Ken Klatka, just inducted into the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame in October, 2011, enters his 37th season as head coach of the men’s track and field program in 2012-2013. He ranks among the nation’s most successful coaches, with an overall record of 442 wins, 144 losses, and two ties for an impressive .753 winning percentage. Under his direction, Kevin Coyle '12 won the 2011 Division III Indoor Long Jump National Championship.
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