Field Hockey Among the Nation's Smartest

TROY, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) field hockey team has been recognized by the 2009 Gladiator by SGI/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) as one of the top academic teams in Division III. The Engineers, who have a team grade point average of 3.40, saw 14 student-athletes named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad.

One of 95 schools to be recognized, Rensselaer has consistently been one of the top squads over the last six seasons, including being named the nation’s top academic squad in both 2004 and 2005. The Engineers ranked second in 2008.

Rensselaer’s individuals named are Joanna Aliprando (Basking Ridge, NJ/Ridge), Sarah Burcher (Lanexa, VA/Maggie L. Walker Governor's School), Julie Campbell (Pittsburgh, PA/Fox Chapel Area), Margaret Chowaniec (Burlington, CT/Lewis Mills), Morgan Danner (McLean, VA/Langley), Holly Dupuis (Brookfield, MA/Worcester Academy), Briana Earle (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker), Shaina Feldman (Phoenixville, PA/Phoenixville Area), Sage Foley (Sturbridge, MA/Tantasqua Regional), Erika Hawksley (Windsor, ME/Erskine Academy), Molly Johnston (Ivoryton, CT/Valley Regional), Megan McNamara (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown), Audrey Newcomb (Southwick, MA/Southwick-Tolland Regional) and Alissa Peterson (Gaithersburg, MD/Quince Orchard).

Aliprando, Chowaniec and Feldman are making their fourth straight appearance on the National Academic Squad.

Twenty of Rensselaer’s 24 members qualified for the Dean’s List last semester, including 13 who earned at least a 3.50 GPA and four with a perfect 4.0.

This year’s NFHCA Division III top five teams are Springfield College (3.52), Richard Stockton College (3.47), Swarthmore College (3.47), Washington & Lee University (3.47) and Goucher College (3.46).