Northwest Wayne News

Wayne State University’s baseball team has received the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Team Academic Excellence Award, presented by Sports Attack, following the 2024 season. The Warriors achieved a 3.576 team GPA for the 2023-24 academic year and have earned this award every year since its inception in 2016.

Nearly 350 high school programs and over 470 collegiate programs were recognized with this year's award.

"This is a special recognition since it underscores a key piece to our program mission," said head coach Ryan Kelley. "We strive to achieve academic and athletic success at a high level annually and our baseball student-athletes delivered results again. Our coaching staff and I applaud their drive, consistency, and positive attitudes to embrace these academic expectations. In order to achieve success, resources are essential where Wayne State University and our athletic department provide outstanding academic environment options. Beyond resources, we would like to recognize our amazing faculty, advising teams, and support staff specialists who work diligently with our student-athletes. Their leadership and teamwork immensely impact our students!"

Coaches could nominate their teams for the ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award after the conclusion of their spring semesters prior to the nomination deadline of July 11th. To be honored, teams had to meet specific criteria: they must be a high school or college team; the head coach must be a current ABCA member; and the team must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale during the 2023-24 academic year.

The American Baseball Coaches Association has a long tradition of recognizing achievements in baseball coaching and student-athletics. Founded in 1945, it serves as the primary professional organization for amateur-level baseball coaches with over 15,000 members representing all U.S states and multiple countries worldwide.

Sports Attack was founded in Reno, Nevada in 1995 but has roots going back over fifty years within the baseball industry. It is family-owned and operated with three active partners still heavily engaged in its operations.