The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Eight UAB Softball Players Named NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes
10/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Oct. 27, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has recognized eight UAB softball players for their success in the classroom last year by naming them 2008-09 NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes.
Sophomore OF/SS Catherine Douglass, sophomore 2B Melissa Hornsby, sophomore C Amanda Lowman, junior 2B Natalie Mitchell, sophomore C Erica Sisson and sophomore OF Tiffany Smith all received NFCA scholar-athlete honors for maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the 2008-09 academic year.
Also receiving honors for their exemplary classroom work were graduated P Sara Swepston and IF/C Andrea Rogers.
"To have eight athletes represented on our team is a great honor," UAB softball coach Marla Townsend said. "I'm very proud of their ability to maintain a strong balance between academics and athletics, which is not an easy task.
"It's also outstanding that five of the girls honored were freshmen last year," Townsend said. "I know that the girls will continue to work hard in the classroom and on the field in 2009-10 and set a great example for the newcomers."
During the 2008-09 season, the Blazers maintained a team GPA of 3.18 and ranked 63rd out of all 288 NCAA Division 1 softball programs.
UAB concluded its fall schedule Saturday, defeating Samford 5-2 at the "Knockin' Cancer Out of the Ballpark" tournament. The Blazers will kick off their 2010 season in February at the Mississippi State Bulldog Classic.
