UNION, N.J. (11/16/10) - For the fourth straight year, the Kean University softball team earned academic recognition from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for the team's efforts in the classroom.Under Head Coach Margie Acker, the Cougars posted the 49th highest cumulative grade point average of the more than 400 NCAA Division III schools that sponsored softball during the 2009-10 academic year.

The Cougars posted a 3.286 grade point average last year, as they also captured the New Jersey Athletic Conference for the first time in program history.

Individually, senior Sarah Hamm, junior Alicia Banz and sophomores Kelsey Hannan and Katie Schuh were each named NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes after posting a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Former players Melissa Dietrich, Ashley Nieves and Allison Thibault were also named NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes after concluding their careers this past spring.

It was the fourth straight honor for Dietrich, while Hamm earned the recognition for the third straight year.