Hartford Earns Walter Harrison Academic Cup in Record-Setting Academic Year for America East
BOSTON – After a year during which America East student-athletes collectively earned a record-setting grade-point average for the sixth-straight year, the University of Hartford once again captured the Walter Harrison Academic Cup. Hartford student-athletes earned a conference-record 3.37 cumulative GPA to win the 2017-18 Academic Cup, its sixth in the last seven years.
“Congratulations to Hartford and each of our institutions and student-athletes on another record-setting academic year,” said America East Commissioner, Amy Huchthausen. “The success our student-athletes collectively attain in the classroom is truly impressive as they continue to raise the bar every year.”
The Academic Cup, established by the America East Board of Directors in 1995, is presented to the institution whose student-athletes post the highest grade-point average during that academic year. The award was named for long time University of Hartford President Walter Harrison last year.
Need to Know
- America East student-athletes averaged a 3.22 GPA overall in 2017-18, a four-point increase from 2016-17 and the highest single-year mark in league history. This is the sixth-straight year a new standard has been set.
- All nine America East institutions averaged better than a 3.0 GPA in 2017-18.
- 83% (115 of 139) of teams averaged better than a 3.0 GPA in 2017-18.
- It’s the 13th consecutive year America East student-athletes have averaged better than a 3.0 GPA.
- Hartford’s 3.37 GPA is the highest mark in America East history. New Hampshire’s 3.35 GPA also surpassed the old standard of 3.31 set last year.
- It is Hartford’s second-straight Academic Cup and sixth in the last seven years.
- Hartford women’s soccer had the highest team GPA at 3.69. The Hawks had eight of the conference's 18 sport champions (full list below).
2017-18 Walter Harrison Academic Cup Standings
Rank School GPA
- Hartford 3.37
- New Hampshire 3.35
- Vermont 3.26
- Binghamton 3.22
- Albany 3.21
- Maine 3.18
- Stony Brook 3.16
- UMass Lowell 3.14
- UMBC 3.10
Sport GPA Champions
- Baseball – Hartford (3.29)*^
- Men’s Basketball – Hartford (3.44)
- Women’s Basketball – Vermont (3.54)
- Men’s Cross Country –Albany (3.33)
- Women’s Cross Country – Hartford (3.68)
- Field Hockey – Albany (3.45)*
- Men’s Lacrosse – UMBC (3.25)
- Women’s Lacrosse – New Hampshire (3.51)
- Men’s Soccer – Stony Brook (3.39)
- Women’s Soccer – Hartford (3.69)
- Softball – Hartford (3.53)
- Men’s Swimming and Diving – Binghamton (3.37)
- Women’s Swimming and Diving – Vermont (3.47)
- Men’s Indoor Track and Field – Vermont (3.28)
- Women’s Indoor Track and Field – Hartford (3.61)
- Men’s Outdoor Track and Field – Vermont (3.29)
- Women’s Outdoor Track and Field – Hartford (3.61)
- Volleyball – Hartford (3.66)
*AE regular-season champion
^AE champion
America East is proud to have one of most comprehensive academic awards programs in the country, which honors over two-thirds of its student-athletes for their success in the classroom.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
- #3Pillars – Building the Complete Student-Athlete -