CLEVELAND – For the eighth time in the last 13 years, and the fourth consecutive season, the Western Michigan University men's athletics program has received the 2019-20 Mid-American Conference Men's Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) Academic Achievement Award, the conference announced Friday.
The FAR awards are designed to recognize the conference institutions with the overall highest grade-point average (GPA) and Academic Progress Rate (APR) rank by gender.
"For the fourth consecutive year, I am proud to call Kalamazoo home to the men's FAR award," Western Michigan Director of Athletics
Kathy Beauregard said. "The eight times we have won this award are a true testament to culture in Kalamazoo, as well as the types of student-athletes and coaches we have here."
The conference FARs worked with the athletic academic advisers to compute an award that best represents the academic achievement of students in a competitive setting. The FAR awards are given to institutions' male and female programs with the highest overall combination of GPA and APR within the conference. Only MAC sponsored sports are used.
"We're proud to be included with our other men's programs and for being recognized for the hard work and dedication it requires for our student-athletes to excel both on and off the court," head men's tennis coach
Dave Morin said.
On Thursday, Western Michigan received the MAC's Institutional Academic Achievement Award for posting the highest overall institutional GPA for student-athletes competing in league-sponsored sports for the academic year.
"Academic excellence is the maximum development of your intellectual capabilities," head baseball coach
Billy Gernon said. "It is my belief that it also elevates one's self esteem. Our student-athletes will never regret the time, sacrifice and commitment they have willingly invested in their academic resumes. I am very proud of their accomplishments and I thank them for continuing to enhance our culture."
Western Michigan's baseball team posted a 3.553 GPA, while the men's soccer team had a 3.494 GPA and the men's basketball team added a 3.297 GPA. In addition, Western Michigan had single year perfect score APR rankings of 1,000 in baseball, men's basketball and men's tennis.
Men's Faculty Athletics Representative Academic Achievement Award
2019-20 Western Michigan University
2018-19 Western Michigan University
2017-18 Western Michigan University
2016-17 Western Michigan University
2015-16 University of Toledo
2014-15 Miami University
2013-14 Miami University
2012-13 Western Michigan University
2011-12 Western Michigan University
2010-11 University of Toledo
2009-10 University of Toledo
2008-09 Western Michigan University
2007-08 Western Michigan University
#WeWillReign
