Nineteen Missouri Valley College athletic programs were recognized on the 2022-23 NAIA Scholar Teams list, which was released by the NAIA. This sets a new single-year record of teams earning the honor for the department.
To be eligible for this honor, varsity teams must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the 2022-23 academic year. The team grade-point average includes all eligible varsity student-athletes.
Teams honored include:
-Baseball
-Men’s Bowling
-Competitive Cheer
-Competitive Dance
-Men’s Soccer
-Women’s Soccer
-Men’s Golf
-Women’s Golf
-Men’s Volleyball
-Women’s Volleyball
-Softball
-Men’s Basketball
-Women’s Basketball
-Men’s Tennis
-Women’s Tennis
-Women’s Lacrosse
-Women’s Indoor Track & Field
-Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
-Men’s Wrestling
“I am very proud of our student-athletes and their accomplishments in the classroom,” said President Dr. Joseph A. Parisi. “I’m also proud of the strong coaches who are upholding the values of Missouri Valley College and prioritizing academics each and every day.”
The women’s tennis team posted the highest GPA during the academic year, at 3.59, followed by the women’s volleyball team at 3.46. The nineteen teams honored broke the school record set last year.
“I am very proud of the fact that two-thirds of our athletic programs are NAIA Scholar Team winners,” said Athletic Director Mike Machholz. “We have always had a stigma about being ‘just an athletic school’ when in fact we are more than that! Our student-athletes work very hard at being exactly that. Most people don’t realize just how hard it is to be a college athlete, let alone a good student-athlete. This is a direct reflection of our coaches’ direction, our facility’s strength, and certainly our student-athlete commitment to being more than average! It is truly a great day to be a Viking! Valley is rolling!”
“I am so proud of our student-athletes,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Elizabeth Bellamy. “Your commitment to academic and athletic success is inspiring. Continue your great work! You are role models to your peers, and your future is bright.”
Missouri Valley finished second in the Heart of America Athletic Conference in the number of teams recognized. Since the 2006-07 academic year, 144 Missouri Valley athletic teams have been recognized as NAIA Scholar Teams.