The St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s basketball team earned a special mention from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for the fifth consecutive year during the 2025-26 academic season.
Consistent Academic Excellence Across All Divisions
The WBCA Academic Top 25 highlights women’s basketball programs across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, NAIA, and two-year colleges with the highest combined grade point averages (GPA) among their student-athletes. For the 31st year of the honor, teams carrying a minimum 3.0 GPA that narrowly miss the Top 25 are granted special mention status. St. Mary’s College posted a 3.372 team GPA for the 2025-26 academic year, continuing their tradition of sustained academic achievement.
Strong Performance in United East Conference and NCAA Tournament
Alongside their academic honor, the Seahawks secured their third overall and second consecutive regular-season championship in the United East Conference. They also won their third tournament championship, the first since the 1998-99 season, when they were reigning Capital Athletic Conference champions. This success led to their third appearance in the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament, achieved by winning the 2025-26 United East tournament title.
The team finished the season with a 23-6 overall record, matching the program record set in the 1999-2000 season, reflecting both competitive excellence and dedication.
Among Conference Peers in Academic Recognition
St. Mary’s College of Maryland was one of five women’s basketball programs from the United East Conference to be recognized by the WBCA in the 2025-26 academic year. The other recognized teams included Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Penn College, and Penn State Harrisburg.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Demonstrating a model balance of athletic and academic commitment, the St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s basketball team has solidified its reputation through both conference victories and nationally recognized scholastic achievement. Their fifth consecutive WBCA Academic Top 25 special mention highlights a sustained culture of excellence within the United East Conference and NCAA Division III basketball. The Seahawks’ performance on and off the court sets a commendable example in Maryland collegiate sports.
Source: WBCA Academic Honor Roll Announcement at SMCM Athletics
