Record Number of Volleyball Programs Receive the 2023 USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award
LEXINGTON, KY (July 13, 2023) — The United States Marine Corps and the American Volleyball Coaches Association announced today that 1,349 collegiate and high school volleyball teams have earned the USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award this season. This marks an all-time record number of programs honored for their academic achievements. The award, initiated in the 1992–93 academic year, honors volleyball teams that maintain a year-long grade-point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale.
“The commitment our coaches make to help their student-athletes pursue the best versions of themselves is evident in the academic accomplishments highlighted today.” said AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon. “Achievement on the court has always been closely tied to success in the classroom which is reflected by the number of championship programs honored.”
Teams with winning streaks of 15 years or longer are highlighted on the list of honorees for their consistent commitment to academics. Two programs hold the extraordinary record of receiving the award for 31 consecutive seasons: girls teams at Jonesboro High School (Jonesboro, Arkansas) and Ross S. Sterling High School (Baytown, Texas).
The additional distinction of Team Academic Honor Roll celebrates programs in the top 20% of GPAs for their division.
Stanford University (Division I) and Corona del Sol High School (Tempe, AZ) hit the trifecta, as their women’s, men’s, and beach teams are all being honored. Girls high school has the most winners by division category, with 487 teams making the grade. For the second consecutive year, women’s collegiate beach set a record with 66 teams receiving the honor this season. The high school boys, collegiate men, and two-year college women’s divisions also set new marks for highest participation to date.
The 2023 award was earned by several teams that also won national collegiate championships on the court and in the sand during the 2022–23 season:
- West Texas A&M (Women’s NCAA Division II)
- Juniata College (Women’s NCAA Division III)
- Jamestown (Women’s NAIA)
- Florida SouthWestern (NJCAA Division I)
- Bob Jones University (NCCAA Division II)
- Feather River College (CCCAA)
- University of Southern California (NCAA Beach)
- University of Tampa (AVCA Small College Beach – Division II)
- Stevens (Men’s NCAA Division III)
Additional Resources for USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award:
- Download team certificates
- Order recognition plaques from Rixstine, official trophy supplier of the AVCA
- All-time Team Academic Award records (1992-2023)
About the United States Marine Corps
Our long-standing partner, the United States Marine Corps, extends its support to AVCA’s administrators and coaches. Just as you make every effort to help your student-athletes succeed, the Marine Corps strives to help every Marine reach their potential. Whether engaging local Marines to work with your athletes or recognizing and referring high-achieving students, your support as an influencer ensures the success of our youth and the future of our nation. For more information about the Marine Influencer Program please visit us at connect.marines.com.
About the AVCA
The AVCA, an educationally based nonprofit headquartered in Lexington, KY, is the largest and most diverse volleyball coaches’ association in the world. With a broad mandate to develop the sport, the AVCA provides leadership, recognition, advocacy, and professional development opportunities to over 8,200 volleyball coaches. Members include college, high school, club, and youth coaches, and well as a wide variety of product and service providers. Further information is available at avca.org.