9 MGCCC teams win NJCAA academic awards

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast led all MACJC teams with nine squads earning NJCAA Academic Team honors for the 2019-20 season, including five that ranked in the top 10 among their sports in all divisions.

Teams must have a 3.0 GPA or higher to be honored. The MGCCC Athletic Department's efforts in the classroom are overseen by Athletic Academic Advisor Julie Brand. The nine teams honored won NJCAA Academic Team of the Year Honorable Mention.

Coach Eric Neel's softball team, which ended the abbreviated season undefeated and ranked No. 2 in the country, also finished second among all NJCAA softball teams with a 3.69 GPA. That was 0.02 points behind Wabash.

Coach Gary Bourgeois' women's tennis team had a 3.68 GPA, tied for sixth in the country. The Bulldogs were 10-1 when the 2020 season came to an end.

Coach Jackie Rhodes' women's soccer team finished with a 3.56 GPA, which was tied for eighth-best in the country. Her team advanced to the MACJC playoffs in the fall.

Coach Chris Handy's team was fourth in the country with a 3.48 GPA. His team went 13-6-1 and made it to the MACJC championship game where they lost in a penalty shootout.

Coach Tommy Snell's golf team, which was unbeaten in MACJC tournament play, had a 3.46 GPA, and Coach Wes Thigpen's baseball team finished with a 3.39 GPA. 

Bourgeois' men's tennis team had a 3.34 GPA. The Bulldogs were 9-1 when the 2020 season ended. Coach Hope Adams' women's basketball team, which advanced to the NJCAA Region 23 semifinals, had a 3.25 GPA.

Coach Jack Wright's national championship football team was one of only three teams in the country who qualified for the award. The 12-0 Bulldogs finished with a 3.00 GPA.

For more information on MGCCC's 10 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.