BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University field hockey team is one of 69 NCAA Division III programs to earn the 2024 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Team Award. The news was announced by an NFHCA press release on Tuesday, February 18th.

This prestigious acknowledgment is granted to programs that have achieved an exceptional team grade-point average of 3.5 or higher during the fall semester of the current academic year. The Bears posted an impressive 3.51 GPA for the 2024 fall semester.

Shenandoah University turned in the highest GPA in all of Division III, securing the top spot with an overall 3.83 GPA. Close behind, Haverford College landed in second place with a collective team GPA of 3.81. Clark University claimed the third team spot with a 3.80 GPA.

Bridgewater State is the only Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) institution to earn the award.

Last week, 14 Bears were named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad, and five were selected as NFHCA Scholars of Distinction.