Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Valparaiso University's Betsy Rietema (Grand Rapids, Mich./Christian H.S.) has been selected as one of five ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America First Team selections for Division I.

The honor, voted upon by members of CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America), recognize both outstanding athletic achievement combined with outstanding academic accomplishments.

On the court, Rietema leads Valpo averaging 13.3 points per game this season, while ranking second on the squad with 6.8 rebounds per contest. She ranks fifth in school history with 1,242 career points and is tenth all-time with 576 career rebounds. In addition, the senior forward ranks among the top-15 at Valpo in games played (114), steals (165), and assists (225).

In the classroom, Rietema has a 3.97 grade point average with a double major in psychology and chemistry. Rietema was a Third Team Academic All-American last season and has been named to the All-District V Team each of the last two years. She is a two-time Mid-Continent Conference All-Academic Team selection.

Rietema is the first Crusader women's basketball player ever to be named a First Team Academic All-American.

To be named to the Academic All-America Team players must be named to the All-Academic First Team in their particular district. To be eligible for Academic All-District and Academic All-America, student-athletes must hold at least sophomore status, own a minimum grade-point average of 3.20, and be either a starter or key reserve.