TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 29, 2006) ? The University of South Florida softball team has been ranked 42nd in the nation in team cumulative grade point average among Division I schools, as announced by National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

During the 2005-06 academic year, the Bulls compiled a GPA of 3.211, putting the team in the top half of the 95-school ranking. Among BIG EAST universities, USF has the fourth highest GPA, as St. John's (3.299), Seton Hall (3.266) and Georgetown (3.264) are ahead of their member institution.

“This is a great credit to our academic department and all their time and effort spent helping our players,” coach Ken Eriksen said. “We have players who value their education and put in the needed time, academically, to excel in the classroom. Our players really epitomize the term student-athlete.”

The rankings are based on averages submitted by NFCA member head coaches for the 2005-2006 academic year.

For a complete listing of rankings, please click here.