SPOKANE (Sept. 27) -- Seattle Pacific University, with the highest grade point averages for teams in five sports and overall last season, has won the 2003-04 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Academic All-Sports award.

The Falcons, who posted the best team GPA in men's cross country, men's soccer, men's basketball, men's track and field and women's soccer, finished with a total of 132 points. Seattle University placed second with 123 points and Northwest Nazarene finished third with 104 points.

SPU also won the men's academic title with 66 points, 14 ahead of second-place Seattle U. Northwest Nazarene edged Seattle 75-71 to win the women's title. SPU's women finished third with 66 points.

"It is an honor for Seattle Pacific University to receive the GNAC All-Sport Academic Award," SPU president Dr. Philip Eaton said. "I am so very impressed and pleased with the academic performance and the character of our student-athletes. These young men and women can be proud of what they have achieved. They have distinguished themselves as exemplary representatives of SPU athletics and the university's vision to engage the culture and change the world."

Eaton was presented the award by NCAA faculty athletic representative Dr. William Woodward, SPU history professor, at the annual athlete orientation Monday night in Brougham Pavilion.

In June, the Falcons also won the GNAC all-Sports award for women's athletics following GNAC championships in women's cross country, women's soccer, women's basketball and women's indoor track and field.

"Headlines are normally grabbed by athletic victories," said Tom Box, SPU athletic director. "It's fantastic to see our student-athletes recognized by the Great Northwest Athletic Conference for their scholarship. I commend these students and acknowledge the Seattle Pacific faculty for inspiring such a high level of academic achievement."

Seattle Pacific's men won their third straight title, while NNU won the women's title for the second time in three years.

Points are awarded in each of the conference's sports based on the cumulative grade point averages of all the athletes on the official team roster. Individual sport winners included:

• Men: Football ­ Central Washington 2.76. Cross Country ­ Seattle Pacific 3.37. Soccer ­ Seattle Pacific 3.01. Basketball ­ Seattle Pacific 3.30. Baseball ­ Saint Martin's 2.96. Track-and-Field ­ Seattle Pacific 3.24.
• Women: Volleyball ­ Northwest Nazarene and Seattle 3.28. Cross Country ­ Alaska Fairbanks 3.68. Soccer ­ Seattle Pacific 3.41. Basketball ­ Saint Martin's 3.56. Softball ­ Saint Martin's 3.41. Track and Field ­ Alaska Anchorage 3.41.