Academic Awards

Below is a summary of academic awards that Little Rock teams and student-athletes have accumulated over the last 10 years.

GENERAL

Little Rock posted the highest Graduation Success Rate of any Arkansas Division I institution in 2013-14 and again in 2014-15.
Ten of 14 programs held grade point averages above 3.0 during the Spring 2016 semester, and the teams held a 3.24 cumulative GPA through Spring 2016.
Sun Belt Conference Commisionner's List and Honor Roll
- 2014-15 had 93 Little Rock student-athletes honored by the league.
- 2013-14 saw 93 Little Rock student-athletes for their academic prowess during the year.
- 2012-13 saw 100 Trojan student-athletes on the Sun Belt academic lists.
- 2011-12 had 87 Little Rock student-athletes make the cut for the Sun Belt academic honors.
- 2010-11 saw 107 Trojans recognized by the league for their academic success.
- 2009-10 saw 102 Little Rock student-athletes honored by the league.
- 2008-09 had 101 Trojans on the Commisioner's List or Honor Roll.
In 2009, the department was certified by the NCAA for substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Association's Division I membership.

BASEBALL

In 2019, Riley Pittman was named to the Capital One Academic All-America Second Team.
In 2011, Jason Houston was named to the Capital One Academic All-District VI Second Team.
In 2007, Brett Lawler earned ESPN The Magazine Second Team All-District VI honors.
In 2006, Jacob Stover was an ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-American and an ESPN The Magazine First Team All-District VI member.
In 2001, Derin McMains was a Verizon Second Team All-American.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

In 2014, Gus Leeper earned recognition by being named to the All-Sun Belt Conference Leadership Team.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

In 2007, Jocelyn Love was named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District First Team.

MEN'S GOLF

In 2016, earned national recognition as the team earned GCAA All-Academic Status. Also earned this honor in 2014-15 and 2011.
In 2014, Colby Benton was named to the Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars.
Following the 2012-13 season, Nicklaus Benton and Nick Zimmerman were named Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars by the GCAA.
At the end of the 2010-11 campaign, Keith Becker, Linus Gillgren and Felipe Velazquez were named to the Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar team. Becker and Gillgren were also named to the Capital One Academic All-District VI At-Large First Team that year.
After the 2009-10 season, Gillgren and Felipe Velazquez were named Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholars.
In 2006, Juan Sanz was named the 2006-07 UALR Outstanding Marketing Student by Trojan faculty.

WOMEN'S GOLF

In 2014-15, Little Rock ranked seventh in the nation for team grade point average and earned the Sun Belt's Team Academic Award for the second straight year.
In 2013-14, Sofia Berglund was named to the Capital One Academic All-District VI Women's At-Large Team as a psychology major with a 4.0 GPA. Five golfers were on the WGA All-American Scholar team, which recognizes student-athletes with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. In addition to Berglund, Katie Reid , Melodie Jean Dit Berthelot , Sofie Kvarnstrom and Stina Resen were all recognized.
In 2012, the team was given a Public Recognition Award by the NCAA based on its most recent multi-year Academic Progress Rate.
In 2008, ranked 11th nationally in grade point average.
In 2006, four golfers were named to the All-American Scholar Team by the National Golf Coaches Association.

SOCCER

In June 2016, Fali Garuba was named to the Sun Belt Leadership Team.
Won the Sun Belt Conference's Team Academic Award for the first time in July 2015.
In 2014, awarded with the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the sixth consecutive year. Also earned that award in 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
In 2011, Kristen Semko was named to the Capital One Academic All-District VI Women's Soccer First Team. In 2009, she was on the Academic All-District Women's Soccer Team presented by ESPN The Magazine.
In 2004 and 2003, Marsha Stewart earned Second Team Academic All-District Honors.

SWIMMING AND DIVING

Six swimmers were named to the Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete Team in 2016, and the team as a whole earned Scholar All-America Team Honors from the CSCAA.
In 2013, Rebecca McEachern was named to the Capital One Academic All-District Women's At-Large Team.
In 2011, Little Rock won Team Scholar All-American honors from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America.
In 2010, the UALR Department of Mathematics and Statistics honored Brenda Gannon with the Outstanding Senior of 2010 Award.
For fall 2008, the team earned Academic All-American Team Honors from the CSCAA.

TRACK AND FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY

In 2014, Emma Dahl was honored by the USTFCCCA when she was named to its All-Academic Team. Whitney Kerth also earned this honor in 2007.
In 2014, men's and women's track and field were named All-Academic Track and Field Teams by the USTFCCCA. Both teams were also on the list in 2013, 2010, 2008 and 2003. The women's team earned this distinction by itself in 2012, 2011, 2007, 2006, as well.
In 2013, the men's cross country team was named to the list of All-Academic Teams by the USTFCCCA. The men and women won this award in 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006. The women's team claimed the award by itself in 2002.
In 2013, Marissa De La Paz was named the Sun Belt's Postgraduate Scholar Athlete of the Year.
The 2012 academic year saw Jason Belt earn All-Academic Team honors as an individual.
In 2011, men's cross country was recognized by the NCAA with the Public Recognition Award for scoring in the top 10 percent in APR.
In 2010 and 2009, Whitney Kerth earned ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America honors. In 2010, 2009 and 2008, she was Academic All-District. In 2008, she was named to the USTFCCA's All-Academic Team.
The men's and women's track and field teams were given the Sun Belt Conference Team Academic Award for the 2008-09 season.
In 2008, Jeremy Greenwood and Kirby Atkins were named to the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team. Atkins also earned that honor in 2007 with then-teammate James Lundberg and in 2010 by himself.
In 2007, women's track and field had the highest team GPA in the nation according to the USTFCCCA.
In 2006, men's cross country had the top GPA in the Sun Belt.

VOLLEYBALL

In 2014-15, Edina Begic got a spot on the Capital One Academic All-District Second Team. She was also named the Arkansas Star of Tomorrow by the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.
Begic also earned Academic All-District honors following the 2013 season.
Named a recipient of the American Volleyball Coaches Association's Team Academic Award for the 2015-16 academic year as well as 2014-15, 2012-13, 2011-12, 2010-11, 2009-10 and 2007-08.
In 2012, given the Sun Belt Conference's Team Academic Award for topping the league in grade point average during the 2011-12 year. Also earned the same award in 2011 and 2010.
In 2005, Iva Adzic and Larisa Durmisevic were named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Teams.