Diamond Hogs Excel in Classroom

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas baseball team proved they were truly student-athletes during the 2006 fall semester with an impressive 3.11-team grade point average.

The 3.11-team GPA follows a 2.9 GPA in the spring of 2006 and a 3.15 GPA during the fall of 2005.

The Razorbacks had 31 players compile a GPA of 3.0 or better with two players, Brandon Barr and Brad Secrist, making a perfect 4.0.

"I love the way this team takes care of its business both on and off the field," Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. "A 3.11 GPA for a baseball team is almost unheard of around the country. It shows you the type of student-athletes that we have in this program. Not only do these guys want to succeed on the field, but they understand the importance of going to class, getting good grades and graduating."

Senior right-hander Brian McLelland earned his degree in chemical engineering in December. Volunteer assistant coach Bubbs Merrill also earned his degree in sociology and former Hog Clay Goodwin finished his masters in adult education.

Fourteen Razorbacks posted GPAs of 3.5 or better during the fall, including Barr (4.0), Casey Coon (3.8), Thomas Hauskey (3.81), Travis Hill (3.81), Scott Limbocker (3.8), Brian McLelland (3.71), Sam Murphy (3.81), Chad Pierce (3.60), Stephen Richards (3.8), Secrist (4.0), Shaun Seibert (3.53), Jess Todd (3.8), Ben Tschepikow (3.8) and Michael Wild (3.5).