LA MIRADA, Calif. --- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced its 2008-09 Scholar Teams on Friday with 16 of Biola's 19 varsity programs earning the honor–the second-highest total in the NAIA and the most in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC).

The NAIA recognized a record 837 teams from across the country with a 3.0 team GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale. 

"We are very pleased with the academic success of our student-athletes," said Biola athletic director and men's basketball coach Dave Holmquist. "Biola University is a rigorous academic school. For 16 our teams to have over a 3.0 is quite an accomplishment."

The Eagles' women's indoor track and field team pulled down the highest overall team GPA with a 3.49 (on a 4.0 scale) while the women's soccer team and women's outdoor track and field team finished close behind at 3.45.

Also earning academic honors were women's swimming and diving (3.44), women's cross country (3.42), men's tennis (3.42), women's basketball (3.39), men's basketball (3.39), women's tennis (3.36), men's cross country (3.36), men's golf (3.32), volleyball (3.30), men's outdoor track and field (3.30), men's swimming and diving (3.29), men's indoor track and field (3.28) and softball (3.27). 

"This is what Biola University is about from the top administration to the coaches and ultimately the student-athletes," said Track and Cross Country coach Jonathan Zimmerman. "There is an understanding that the students are here first for their education and they do a tremendous job of budgeting their time and staying focused throughout the academic year. I am very impressed also with the university as a whole in the fact that our professors set a great tone for learning and academic growth here at Biola."

Biola had the highest number of teams recognized in the GSAC with Vanguard University coming in second with 13, Azusa Pacific third with 10.

The College of Idaho had the most teams represented by a school (19) with Biola, Hastings College (Neb.) and St. Ambrose University (Iowa) each having 16 teams earn the honor.

Volleyball landed in the top spot for total number of scholar teams per sport (92). The Park University (Mo.) women's golf team was named the 2008-09 NAIA Scholar Team of the Year with a team GPA of 3.97.

For a team to be considered for the NAIA Scholar Team award, they must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the institution. The team grade point average must include all varsity athletes certified as eligible. There were a record total of 837 teams to earn the award in 2008-09, a 12% increase over last year.