The 2000 Hope College softball team has been honored for academic achievement by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
The Flying Dutch ranked 15th among all NCAA Division III teams with a cumulative grade point average of 3.32.
In addition, seven players were designated NFCA Scholar-Athletes for attaining a minimum 3.5 grade point average for the entire 1999/2000 school year.
Honored as scholar-athletes were Tara Blacquiere of Caledonia (Grand Rapids South Christian HS), Colleen Corey of Jenison (Jenison HS), Julia Eagan of Summit, N.J. (New Providence HS), Kathi and Kim Grotenhuis of Hamilton (Hamilton HS), Heather Roy of Alpena (Alpena HS), and Kristi Vincent of Lyons (Pewamo-Westphalia HS).
Hope was one of three MIAA-member colleges to be honored. Albion had the best GPA among all Division III colleges at 3.53 while Alma ranked 29th at 3.15.
The Hope softball team is coached by Karla Wolters. The 2000 Flying Dutch posted an overall 21-16 record and finished second in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).
The NFCA All-Academic program is sponsored by Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla.