The 2015-16 LeTourneau University men’s basketball team, as well as junior guard Jeff Martin (Katy, Texas) have been honored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) as a recipient of the Team Academic Excellence Award and to the Honors Court, respectively.
The NABC RECOGNIZED The team for its overall academic success in 2015-16. For the team to qualify for the award, the team must achieve a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better for the previous season. It is the first time in program history that LeTourneau has received this annual award. Plus, since keeping track of team grade point average in 2009, this is the first time that Men’s Basketball has been above a 3.0 both semesters. The YellowJackets posted a 3.09 in the fall semester 2015 and a 3.04 in spring semester 2016.
LeTourneau University head coach Dan Miller is pleased to see his team earn this honor. “I am very proud of our guys for their focus on their education. They are valid examples of student-athletes. We preach to the team about being a complete program, and that includes on and off the court. The fact that our team earned a spot on the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award reflects the commitment our team has to academics. We believe that accomplishments, like playing in the ASC Tournament and earning academic honors are the norm in our basketball program.”
The men’s basketball team joins the men’s and women’s tennis teams and the volleyball team after various organizations recognized them for their academic success.
Named Honors Court was Martin along with Dillon Gash, and Spencer Coomer of Ozarks. For them to qualify for the award, the student-athlete must be a junior or senior and a varsity player; a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or higher at the conclusion of the academic year; matriculated at least one year at their current institution.
“Jeff had an excellent season on and off the court,” noted Miller. “Jeff works extremely hard to be one of the top players in the ASC but also works hard to be an excellent student. He is a prime example of our young guys and a real leader. We are excited about Jeff’s senior year, and I know that he will be very successful not only this year but in life after he graduates from LETU.”
Danny Kambel
LeTourneau University
Sports Information Director
www.letuathletics.com