DANBURY, CONN. — With a total team GPA of 3.38, the Western Connecticut State University women’s volleyball team has proved that academics are as important as winning by working as hard in the classroom this season as it did on the court. Not only did the team capture this year’s Little East Championship and make it to the NCAA tournament, but it also earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award.

“It starts with recruiting,” said Don Ferguson, who is in his third year as the team’s head coach. “You recruit the right type of student: one who cares about academics as much as sports. Our job is to win and to foster a great academic environment.”

The national award is based on the 2013-14 academic performance and includes the GPA of every team member. Four members of the team are in the university’s Honors Program. In addition to being outstanding academically, Karissa Smith, a WCSU sophomore with a 4.0 GPA, was named “Most Outstanding Player” in the LEC championships this season.

Smith said that being on the WCSU volleyball team helps her structure her time and keep her on task.

“I am surrounded by talented and intelligent girls. Giving your all on the court and in the classroom becomes a part of who we are and also gives a sense of community. If I have trouble with anything, I can go to my teammates or my coach for help. Not everyone is that lucky.”

The team’s 12 members, under Ferguson’s guidance, have created a culture of success. He holds study hall for all of the team’s freshmen and for those upper-class students who may be struggling with a course.

“The culture has changed,” said Ferguson, who was the head volleyball coach at the University of Hartford before coming to WCSU. “We care about what they do in the classroom, not just on the floor.”

He also said the students give each other positive reinforcement and encourage each other in their studies.

“It’s a major motivator, being part of a team that cares about you and they share grades and successes,” Ferguson said. “Everyone helps each other.”

The commitment to the team is a hefty one with 34 matches a season and 20 hours a week of practice. The season starts in mid-August and ends in November. But the commitment doesn’t end there. Before finals, Ferguson meets with team members individually to check progress in their coursework. Then after a brief break, the team hits the weight rooms for strengthening and conditioning before practice tournaments in April. He also works with his seniors planning to attend graduate school and helps with alumni connections and job placements. “Playing a sport is more than just playing. It opens a lot of doors for them through networking,” he said.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.