Tricia Principe Claims ESPN Academic Kudos

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Big Rapids, Mich. - Ferris State University women's basketball sophomore guard Tricia Principe (Kalamazoo/Mattawan) has earned recognition from ESPN The Magazine as an academic all-district IV third team honoree for the 2009-10 season as announced today (Feb. 4).

The 5-9 Principe, who this week leads all of NCAA Division II in free throw percentage (.919) this campaign, was among only three players from a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) program named to any of the three five-member district teams (first, second, third) in voting conducted by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). She was also one of only two sophomores listed among any of the 15 total district selections.

A pair of Michigan Tech seniors, Sarah Stream and Katie Wyscoky, were chosen to the all-district first team and are now eligible for Academic All-America consideration.

Student-athletes must have reached at least sophomore status academically, maintain a 3.3 cumulative grade point average and also be a starter or key reserve for their team to be nominated. The District IV team is comprised of colleges and universities located in the states of Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.

Principe presently ranks as the Bulldogs' leading scorer (11.6 ppg.) to date this season and is the squad's second-highest rebounder (5.2 rpg.) to date this year.

Principe has connected on 57-of-62 (.919) free throw attempts this campaign and moved into the top position in this week's national statistical listing after being ranked second last week in free throw percentage. She had made 44 consecutive free throws this campaign prior to a miss in the first half of last Saturday’s (Jan. 30) contest versus nationally fourth-ranked Michigan Tech at Wink Arena. Principe also leads the GLIAC in free throw percentage.

She's compiled 13 double-figure scoring performance this season, including 12 outings with 10 or more points in her last 15 games. Twice she's totaled 20 points or more with a personal career-high of 23 points in a road win at Tiffin (Jan. 14).

This year marks the 58th anniversary of the Academic All-America program, which was founded by CoSIDA in 1952 to recognize collegiate student-athletes for their outstanding achievements in the classroom and on the playing field. Over the years, the program has grown into one of the most recognized and prestigious collegiate scholar-athlete awards nationwide, honoring student-athletes from all NCAA championship sports. This season marks ESPN The Magazine's sixth year of sponsoring the Academic All-America program, which was formerly endorsed by both GTE and Verizon.

The 2008-09 campaign represents the 11th consecutive season in which Ferris State has had a player named to one of the Academic All-District IV teams. Former player Jen Newsone was a second team pick (2000-01) before both Debbie Killips (2000-01, 2001-02) and Lucy DeMartin (2002-03, 2003-04) became two-time first team honorees. FSU's Bridget Horwitz earned first-team distinction in 2004-05 before Erin Miller garnered identical laurels in 2005-06. In 2006-07, both Rachel Folcik and Miller were second-team all-district honorees.

Two years ago (2007-08), Folcik attained first-team district status and went on to join both Killips and DeMartin as Academic All-America First Team honorees. Killips received the honor during the 2001-02 campaign and DeMartin claimed the recognition in 2003-04.  Finally, last season (2008-09) Caitlin Hutchison was a first-team district pick.

The Bulldog women's and men's basketball teams open up this week's action by hosting the Hillsdale Chargers in a GLIAC doubleheader on Thursday (Feb. 4) evening at Jim Wink Arena. The women's contest tips off at 6 p.m. (EST) followed by the men's game at 8 p.m. (EST).

FSU then hosts the Findlay Oilers in GLIAC women's basketball play on Saturday (Feb. 6) at 12 p.m. (EST) with the Bulldog men battling the defending NCAA Division II National Champions at 2 p.m. (EST).

Thursday's basketball doubleheader represents the school's annual "Pink Wave Night" contest in support of breast cancer awareness and a Greek Olympics competition will also be held. Meanwhile, Saturday's home hoops action includes special halftime performances from a barbershop quartet group called X-position, which is part of the award-winning Grand Rapids Chapter of Sweet Adelines chorus. The performance is being conducted through the local area's Festival of the Arts activities.

Saturday's basketball doubleheader will also feature "Community Health Day" with free informational tables available on a variety of health-related issues, including diabetes, immunizations, hypertension and oral health. Additionally, free screenings will be held for things such as diabetes, glaucoma, oral cancer, blood pressure and blood glucose. The event will take place from 12:45 to 3:15 p.m. (EST).

FSU Basketball tickets can be purchased at the door starting one hour prior to the women’s tipoff at Wink Arena.