WALESKA, Ga. -- Four Reinhardt College athletic teams recently received national recognition as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced its NAIA scholar teams for 2007-08. Reinhardt's baseball, women's cross country, women's soccer and volleyball teams all earned the distinction. To be honored as a scholar team, a squad must have at least a 3.0 combined grade-point average on a 4.0 scale.  

"We are very excited that four of our teams were able to make the national list of scholar teams within the NAIA," Reinhardt athletic director/head baseball coach Bill Popp said. "It is a tribute to the hard work of our student-athletes and coaches, as well as the faculty and staff here at Reinhardt. One of the main goals of everyone at Reinhardt is to have successful students, and we are fortunate to have student-athletes who want success both in the classroom and on the playing fields."

The NAIA had 206 schools that sponsored baseball as an intercollegiate sport in 2008, and the Eagles were one of just 18 clubs to qualify as a scholar team. The squad combined for a 3.00 GPA after ranking fourth nationally in 2007 with a 3.16 GPA.

In women's cross country, head coach Kevin Kelly's runners posted a 3.17 GPA, finishing 57^th in the nation among 72 schools that qualified for scholar team status. A total of 193 institutions had women's cross country programs last fall.

Reinhardt's women's soccer team, under head coach Andy Kaplan, was also honored as a scholar team for the second straight year after putting together a 3.02 GPA. The Lady Eagles were one of 64 squads to earn scholar team accolades as the NAIA had 205 schools offering women's soccer in 2007. Last year, Reinhardt ranked seventh in the country with a 3.41 GPA.

In volleyball, head coach Angela Monds' Lady Eagles were one of 87 schools to make the scholar teams list, ending in a tie for 57^th place nationally with a 3.22 GPA. Last fall, 245 institutions had volleyball programs.

Within the 12-member Southern States Athletic Conference, seven schools were represented on the scholar teams list. With four scholar teams, Reinhardt ranked third in the SSAC behind Berry College and Shorter College.