Eight Valparaiso softball players were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America Scholar Athletes for their performance in the classroom during the 2010-2011 academic year.

The award is given to any player submitted by a member coach who achieved a 3.50 grade point average or higher during the 2010-2011 academic year.  The Crusaders’ honorees included Kelly Belisle, Hayley Bridwell, Tori Brown, Sadie Conner, Angie Doerffler, Joylyn Ichiyama, Shaleigh Jansen and Kelsey Phalen.  The award is the second component of the NFCA’s academic award program, as Valparaiso was also honored last week as an All-Academic Team by the NFCA.