Although Kutztown University's women's field hockey team entered this season's Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference quarterfinals, the 21-member squad's most notable achievement was in the classroom.

The team bagged an impressive grade point average of 3.54, of any NCAA Division II team in the nation in the fall semester, reports Reading Eagle.

Kutztown was recognized as one of the 27 schools across the country to pick up a National Academic Team Award by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association back in March.

An official announcement ceremony was conducted outside Stratton administration building by the Kutztown's council of trustees on Thursday.

John "Jack" Wabby, trustees chairman applauded the team's accomplishments on and off the field noting that "the real purpose of athletics is scholar athletes."

"And you're the epitome of scholar athletes," Wabby added.

This is not the first time Kutztown took top Division II GPA honors.

Kutztown took top Division II GPA honors in 2008 and was second in 2011. It was the 12th consecutive year Kutztown earned recognition as a National Academic Squad.

According to Coach Marci Scheuing, the Golden Bears led Division II with six scholars of distinction, athletes with a 3.9 GPA or higher.

Sixteen players acquired a 3.3 GPA or higher, Scheuing, who was named PSAC coach of the year said.

While addressing the trustees, co-captain Courtney Konowal pointed out that the team had five All-PSAC selections as well as three All-American distinctions

While wrestler Matt Martoccio and field hockey player Anna Behm were elected as senior athletes of the year during Kutztown University's annual all-sports banquet last month, pole vaulter Emma Sullivan and quarterback Chad Barton were named seniour scholar-athletes of the year at the same event held at the O'Pake Field House, according to reports on Reading Eagle.

Behm, a sports and leisure management major, was named PSAC Athlete of the Year and also a nominee for the 2016 Division II Honda Athlete of the Year award. Behm is from Kutztown.

She spearheaded Kutztown University to its first PSAC championship berth since 2009. Behm, a three-time All-PSAC honoree was named to the All-America first team for the second time. She topped the PSAC with an impressive 53 points and 1.16 goals per game.

KU president,Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson too applauded the team for its success on the playing field as well as in the classroom saying, "we emphasize the student-athlete at Kutztown."

"These young woman have excelled in the classroom, and we are so proud of them," he added.