Rice Tops School Record in Academic All-Americans

The 2002–03 season was memorable not only for the Owls’ College World Series victory but for the number of Rice athletes who made the top academic lists.

The men’s track and field team was named the top academic team by the United States Track and Field Coaches Association. To qualify for the honor, teams must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.000, and the Rice team led all Division I universities, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.320. Rice also had two individuals among the nation’s top 25: Academic All-American Adam Davis, who posted a 4.018 GPA in economics and kinesiology, and Erik Mazza, who graduated this past spring with a 3.610 GPA in political science and managerial studies.

In addition, 10 Rice students received CoSIDA/Verizon Academic All-America honors for 2002–03—the highest number of Rice student athletes to receive this honor in a single year. They are:

First Team

• Adam Davis, men’s track and field

Second Team

• Allison Beckford, women’s track and field
• Alice Falaiye, women’s track and field
• Wade Townsend, baseball

Third Team

• Richard Barker, men’s tennis
• William Barker, men’s tennis
• Jeff Blackinton, baseball
• Catherine DuPont, volleyball
• Amanda Felder, women’s track and field
• Vincent Sinisi, baseball

In past years, the highest number of student athletes recognized was four—in both 1995–96 and 1998–99. Twenty-one student athletes made the CoSIDA/Verizon Academic All-District VI list in 2002–03. This also is a school record.