SALT LAKE CITY – The NAIA released the 2008-09 list of Scholar Teams on Monday, and Westminster had seven teams recognized for their classroom performance. Leading the way for the Griffins was the Men's Cross Country squad with a combined team Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.75. That was the 10th-best GPA of any NAIA team and the top men's cross country team.

Women's Golf and Women's Basketball were the next two teams on the list for Westminster, coming in with a 3.56 and 3.54 GPA respectively. Men's Basketball (3.50), Women's Volleyball (3.44), Men's Soccer (3.29), and Women's Soccer (3.13) were the other Westminster teams recognized by the NAIA. Westminster has nine teams that compete in the NAIA that were eligible for the 2008-09 Scholar Teams.

The Park (Mo.) University women's golf team is the 2008-09 NAIA Scholar Team of the Year. The program, under the direction of head coach Kelly DeFeo, finished in the top spot with a 3.97 grade point average during the 2008-09 academic year. A record total of 837 teams, a 12% increase over last year, received the award.

Joining Park University to round out the top five include McKendree (Ill.) University women's tennis (3.92), Dordt (Iowa) College women's tennis (3.87), Oklahoma Wesleyan University women's cross country (3.87) and Friends (Kan.) University men's tennis (3.86). The College of Idaho had the most teams represented by a school (19) and volleyball landed in the top spot for total number of scholar teams per sport (92). Over 15% of the schools receiving the award had a 3.5 or higher grade point average.

For a team to be considered for the NAIA Scholar Team award, they must have a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the institution. The team grade point average must include all varsity athletes certified as eligible.