WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — The Hartford baseball team was honored with the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Team Academic Excellence Award for the 2018-19 academic year. It marks the second straight year that the Hawks receive the distinction.
 
The ABCA annually recognizes programs, which post team GPAs of 3.0 or greater (on a 4.0 scale). This academic year, 211 programs from the NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and junior college levels were selected. 
 
Hartford baseball's student-athletes combined for a 3.21 team TPA this past year. In addition, the Hawks were one of just 51 Division I programs to earn the award, and the only baseball team from the America East that was recognized.
 
"Our student-athletes understand that academics come first, and it shows with how we have performed in the classroom," said head coach Justin Blood. "With the structure of our schedule, we spend a considerable amount of time on the road and out of the classroom. I am proud of the guys for earning this recognition and applaud their efforts." 
 
A conference-leading six of Hartford's 15 America East sponsored athletic programs recorded the highest GPA among their peers, including the baseball team. In addition, 24 of the team's 35 members were placed on the America East Academic Honor Roll, which recognizes those with a 3.0 or higher GPA, with 12 of those student-athletes earning Commissioner's Honor Roll status for earning a 3.5 GPA or higher.
 
The ABCA has a long tradition of recognizing the achievements of baseball coaches and student-athletes. The ABCA/Rawlings All-America Teams are the nation's oldest, founded in 1949, and the ABCA's awards program also includes the ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Awards, the ABCA/Diamond Regional & National Coaches of the Year, and several other major awards, such as the ABCA Hall of Fame and the Ethics in Coaching Award.
 
For an inside look at Hartford baseball, and for the latest news, stay with HartfordHawks.com for updates and follow the team on social media: Twitter | Instagram