TIFFIN -- As Heidelberg University's 24 varsity teams prepare for the upcoming school year, several programs are being recognized for their academic success last year. Over the summer months, four teams -- Volleyball, Women's Basketball, Wrestling and Baseball -- received accolades from their respective coaching organizations. 

"We are proud of our student-athletes' accomplishments on the playing fields, but even prouder of their accomplishments in the classroom," said Dr. Ryan Musgrave, Program Director of HU's Athletic Training Education and Co-Faculty Athletic Representative. "These awards solidify the NCAA DIII philosophy, while being representative of the hard work that the students-athletes have made in the classroom and the expectations of our coaching staffs."

Volleyball earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award for maintaining a yearlong 3.3 GPA. Led by Head Coach Jason Miller, the volleyball team has received this AVCA honor in each of the past seven years. 

Mentored by former Head Coach Rachel Mease and current Head Coach Erin Eaton, the Women's Basketball program was a special mention on the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Academic top 25 Team Honor Roll. 

On the National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American Award list, the Berg was second overall in Division III, compiling a team cumulative GPA of 3.8250. Head Coach Tony Patrizi's crew was 0.041 off of the leaders, Johns Hopkins. The runner-up finish was the second in a row for 'Berg Wrestling. The team was eighth in 2021-22.  

Heidelberg Baseball was one of four OAC schools to receive the American Baseball Coaches Association Team Academic Excellence Award, given to teams who compile a team GPA of 3.0 or better. Under the tutelage of Head Coach Chad Fitzgerald, Heidelberg has appeared on the list for the past eight seasons.  

"The collaboration between Heidelberg Athletics and the Owen Center for Teaching and Learning exemplifies our commitment to holistic student success. Many members of the Owen Center team, who have firsthand experience in coaching and assisting athletic programs, work closely with our student-athletes year-round," said Morgan Harrigan, now the Executive Director of the Owen Center for Teaching and Learning, and former head coach of the Women's Basketball team. "This unique synergy ensures that our athletes receive tailored academic support enabling them to excel both on the field and in the classroom."

After a quiet summer, during which the loudest sounds for Berg Athletics were the construction-related noises at the site of the new fieldhouse, action on campus resumes when fall athletes return to Tiffin in mid-August.