March 5, 2008

NEW ORLEANS - For the sixth season in a row, both the University of Richmond men's and women's cross teams earned the NCAA Academic All-America Award from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The Spiders were one of five women's teams from the Atlantic 10 to earn the honor, while the men's team was one of two from the conference.

For a team to be considered for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team award, they must have competed and compiled a team score at an NCAA Regional Meet. The team must also have a minimum 3.00 team cumulative grade point average.

"We're very proud of the level of commitment these athletes make in the classroom and the hard work they put into their training to be among the best cross country and track & field athletes in the country," said Lori Taylor, Richmond's director of track & field and cross country. "The resources that are available in the form of academic support is very helpful for our athletes. Bruce Matthews and his staff within our academic advising area continue to help our teams and our athletes and their support is invaluable."

The Richmond men's team was joined by the University of Dayton as the conference member of the 98 NCAA Division-I team's nationwide to earn the honor. The women's squad was one of five from the A-10 and one of 157 nationwide.

"This is a testament to the work our men and women put into both their academics and sport," said men's head coach Steve Taylor. "To be a great team on the cross country course and in the classroom is one of our goals every year and part of that goal includes earning this honor.

"Every year our men and women prove that achieving greatness both as a student and as an athlete is the standard for this University. The word is out, if you want the best of both NCAA Division-I athletics and the highest level of academics, then Richmond is the place to go."

The women finished ninth at the NCAA Southeast Regional after a second-place finish at the A-10 Championship. The men were 13th at the NCAA Regional on the heels of their second-place showing in the A-10.

Stanford was awarded the USTFCCCA Women's Team of the Year, while Iona garnered Men's Team of the Year honors.