LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola University Athletics has a long history of blending academic and athletic success and the 2016-17 season was no different as 18 of the Eagles' 19 varsity programs earned NAIA Scholar Team recognition.
 
This marks the third consecutive season Biola's athletic programs have garnered 18 total Scholar Team recognitions. The number puts them tied for third in the nation in terms of total number of programs honored.
 
Head Coach Jane Carr's women's golf program had the highest team GPA of any program with a 3.59 cumulative mark. Head Coach Max Allen's men's golf team had the highest GPA of any men's program with a 3.41.
 
NAIA Scholar Teams are awarded based off of the cumulative team grade point average. It takes into account the GPAs of all members of the team who are certified as eligible to compete. Teams with cumulative averages of 3.0 or higher receive the honor.
 
The Eagles led the Golden State Athletic Conference in total number of teams honored. Arizona Christian was the closest with 14 teams honored.
 
The strong academic numbers represent exactly what the Biola Athletics department hopes to achieve in developing Christian student-athletes who thrive spiritually, academically and athletically.