East Texas Baptist University’s baseball program has once again been honored with the American Baseball Coaches Association Team Academic Excellence Award, marking the eleventh consecutive year the team has earned the distinction. The 2023‑24 squad posted a cumulative GPA of 3.55, surpassing the minimum 3.00 threshold required for the award.
Academic Excellence Recognized
The recognition reflects the program’s commitment to scholarly achievement, with 39 players earning spots on the American Southwest Conference All‑Academic Team. That academic distinction accompanies a dominant on‑field campaign that saw the team finish the season with 40 victories and a third‑place national ranking.
A Season of Dominance
Coach Jared Hood’s leadership has been credited with fostering an environment where athletics and academics thrive side by side. The team also captured both the ASC regular‑season and tournament titles, and proceeded to win the NCAA Division III Marshall Regional as well as the Lynchburg Super Regional, advancing to the national stage.
Individual Accolades
Connor Massimini was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All‑American First Team, while Tyler Bogusz received a $10,000 NCAA Post‑Graduate Scholarship and was awarded the NCAA Division III Elite Award. Their achievements underscore the program’s ability to develop top‑tier scholar‑athletes.
ETBU’s accomplishment also highlights the broader impact of the American Southwest Conference and its partners, including the American Baseball Coaches Association and College Sports Communicators, who jointly administer the awards. The university, located in Marshall, Texas, continues to serve as a model for Division III programs seeking to balance competitive athletics with rigorous academic standards.