Athletics

gnac steeplechase

NCAA honors academic excellence

For the 10th year in a row, SPU received the NCAA DII President’s Award for Academic Excellence, which recognizes a four-year academic success rate of 90% or higher. The rate measures the number of student athletes who earn degrees within six years of enrollment; SPU’s rate was 94%. Seattle Pacific is one of only 10 schools that has received the award each year the honor has been presented.

Sports took an extended COVID-19 hiatus

The Great Northwest Athletic Conference canceled all conference-directed schedules through March 2021. However, in January, SPU created schedules comprising local and in-state competition for men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, and track and field, as well as women’s volleyball and rowing. Falcon athletes practiced and competed while following NCAA, state, and county guidelines. All athletes, coaches, and staff were frequently screened and tested for COVID-19, and competitions were played without spectators.

Falcon athletic teams excel in spring competitions

Spring was unusually busy for the Falcons, as the fall sports of men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball, were in action along with the usual spring schedules for outdoor track and field, and women’s rowing. The women’s track team won its third straight Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship, along with titles in 11 of the 21 individual events. Women’s rowing finished second in the first-ever GNAC regatta. The women’s soccer team put together an undefeated record of 8-0-1 and was ranked No. 7 nationally. SPU’s men went 3-2-1 in their six soccer games. The Falcons racked up an 11-7 volleyball record that included two victories apiece against rivals Central Washington University and Western Washington University.