Suffolk is one of over 300 programs from amongst all three NCAA divisions, NAIA, junior college and the high school ranks to pick up the academic accolade. In total a record of 301 teams were recognized with the award, 80 of which were NCAA Division III programs, including three GNAC representatives in the Rams, Johnson & Wales and Saint Joseph's (Maine).
In order to be considered for the plaudit, a team must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.0 scale over the 2018-19 season and the head coach must be a current ABCA member.
As a team, Anthony Del Prete's 30-player roster combined for a 3.16 grade point average over 2018-19. On the diamond, Suffolk repeated as GNAC regular-season champions, a first in program history.
2018-2019 ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award
The ABCA has a long tradition of recognizing the achievements of baseball coaches and student-athletes. The ABCA/Rawlings All-America Team are the nation's oldest, founded in 1949, and the ABCA's awards program also includes the ABCA/Rawlings All-Region awards, the ABCA/Diamond Regional & National Coaches of the Year and several other major awards such as the ABCA Hall of Fame and the Ethics in Coaching Award.