Men's Tennis - News

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - For the second-straight year, Purdue University Calumet had four athletic programs earn recognition from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, as the organization announced its total of 741 teams qualifying for the Scholar Team Award. The Peregrines' women's basketball, men's and women's tennis and women's volleyball teams all received the prestigious honor.

"What a tremendous honor for our coaching staff and student-athletes," said interim athletic director John Friend. "We are very proud of the academic prowess displayed by our student-athletes this past season. They put in a lot of hard work over the course of the year and this award caps it off nicely, while also serving as spring board into the 2012-13 campaign."

Purdue Calumet's women's tennis program, under the direction of head coach Tim Maluga, led the way for the Black and Gold with a 3.67 cumulative grade-point average. The team's GPA ranked among the top 20 of all NAIA intercollegiate athletic programs and just behind St. Francis (Ill.) women's tennis and Cardinal Stritch men's cross country for top honors in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

To receive the honor each program must have a minimum 3.0 grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the institution. The team's cumulative grade-point average includes not only official letterwinners, but also individuals in the program who have been certified as eligible.

The CCAC had a total of 60 teams accomplish the feat, led by St. Francis (Ill.) with 14 and Olivet Nazarene (13).

The NAIA is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.