Over his 20-year coaching career at Lee University, Marty Rowe has not only directed winning teams on the basketball court but produced equal winners in the classroom as well.
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Top 25 recognizes NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and two-year college women’s basketball teams across the nation that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The information just released has the Lee team listed with the best DII clubs (21st) in the country again.
The 2023-24 season is the 29th in which the WBCA has compiled the honor rolls.
“The WBCA is pleased to recognize those women’s basketball programs that have committed themselves to excellence on the court and in the classroom,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. “The teams we honor this year strive to achieve all-around success and we commend their efforts.”
On the playing floor the Lady Flames were 21-11 this past season. After falling twice to a Union club during the regular season, Rowe’s ladies defeated Union, one of the top ranked teams in Division II, in the GSC Tournament. After falling to powerful Valdosta State, the Lady Flames earned another At-Large in the DII Nationals and lost to Nova Southeastern, a club that advanced all the way to the sweet 16.
Earlier, the 2023-24 Lee team had three players named to the Top 25 All-District® NCAA DII Basketball Teams, which was selected by College Sports Communicators. It recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
For the Lady Flames, Anna Muhonen, Mallory Hampton, and Haylee Johnson received recognition. Muhonen, a junior, had a 4.0 GPA in interdisciplinary studies. Hampton, a senior, had a 3.597 GPA in health science while junior Haylee Johnson, had a 3.627 GPA in biochemistry.
"We are so proud of the way this team works on and off the floor. Success in the classroom is a priority in our program and this recognition is a testament to the character of our players and their commitment to excellence in everything they do,” said Lady Flame Associate Head Coach Jan Spangler.
“Our women’s basketball program sets a very high standard in everything they do, and the classroom is no exception,” added Lee Athletic Director John Maupin. “This honor reflects Coach Rowe, Coach Spangler and the type of student athletes they bring in each year. I am proud of the way they represent Lee University!”
The Lee lacrosse team was one of 325 lacrosse teams from Division I, II, III, and NAIA colleges named by the Intercollegiate Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) as members of the IWLCA Academic Honor Squads for the 2023-24 academic year. To qualify for this prestigious honor, the women’s lacrosse team must have posted a 3.2 or higher team GPA for the academic year.
The IWLCA also honored 524 individual student-athletes from 72 different institutions on the 2024 IWLCA Division II Academic Honor Roll. To be eligible for this honor, student-athletes must be a junior, senior, or graduate student and have earned a cumulative academic GPA of 3.50 or greater.
The Lady Flames are not only competitive in the Gulf South Conference but faced one of the nation’s toughest schedules in 2024. They have been at the top of the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll chart, team, and individuals, for five straight years.
Individual honor roll students named were Brittney White - GR Exercise Science/Athletic Training, Kaleigh Bernard - Education, Audrey Dutton - Biology/Pre-Physician’s Assistant, Emma Lake - Special Education, Makenna Luzier - Biology, Kelsey McGowen - Curriculum and Instruction-Graduate degree, Hannah Nee - Nursing and Jamey Ryan - Nursing and Spanish.
Six years ago, when Lee President Dr. Paul Conn and former Athletic Director Larry Carpenter were searching for lacrosse coaches to help build a competitive program in the Gulf South Conference, Megan Smith and Derrel Martin were hired to do the job.
Martin stepped away before last season began and Smith was immediately appointed interim head coach. After the 2024 season the interim title was removed, and it was an easy decision when she was labeled the third head coach in the young history of Lee lacrosse.
The Lady Flames are not only competitive in the Gulf South Conference but faced one of the nation’s toughest schedules in 2024. They have been at the top of the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll chart, team, and individuals, for five straight years.
“We are extremely honored to receive IWLCA Academic Honor Squad for the 5th straight year,” said Coach Smith. “I am incredibly proud of the team this year, earning our highest GPA in program history with a 3.69.
“They worked really hard on and off the field to make this happen! I am also super proud of the eight individuals that were named to the Academic Honor Roll, which is another record for our program and something we will continue to build on,” added Smith with remarks of praise for her team.
“I am so proud of our women’s lacrosse student athletes, and their commitment to academic achievement,” proclaimed Lee Athletic Director John Maupin. “They continue to set a high bar and represent Lee University well!”