The team, coached by Terri Laux, compiled a 3.341 combined grade-point average to place 10th among more than 300 NCAA Division I institutions.

"It is an incredible achievement for our program to be in the top 10 on the academic list," Laux said. "It is a true testimony to what we expect of our student-athletes in the classroom and a true testimony to what kind of emphasis we place on academics in our program.

"Our kids take great pride in what they do in the classroom, and they are very deserving of this award," she said.

This marks the fifth straight year and the seventh time over the past eight years that the Cardinals have garnered national recognition. The 10th place finish is second only to the sixth place finish of the 1996 squad.

In addition to the team award, six members of the 2002-2003 squad were named NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes. They are Kris Burdine, Janice Campbell, Britni Clark, Alyssa Huffman, Crystal Newton and Katie Shea. The six selections are the second highest in Ball State history.

The NFCA All-Academic Awards are open to all NCAA Division I programs sponsoring softball. A NFCA Scholar-Athlete must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 or better. Eleven members of the Cardinals' 2002-2003 roster compiled 3.0 or better grade-point averages last year.