Eastern Michigan Athletics
Lacrosse Garners Second IWLCA Academic Merit Squad Honor
7/31/2025 2:30:00 PM | Lacrosse
Eagles recorded the highest GPA among all NCAA Division I lacrosse teams in 2025
NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. (EMUEagles.com) -- For the second consecutive year, the Eastern Michigan University lacrosse team has been recognized as the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) NCAA Division I Merit Squad, the IWLCA announced today, July 31. The Eagles, who were second nationally in 2023 before earning the top spot in 2024, led the nation in 2025 with a 3.79 cumulative grade-point average.
"I continue to applaud the efforts of our lacrosse student-athletes who have added another tremendous honor to their successful year," EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee said. "In just three seasons, this program has worked daily with a championship mindset. They not only captured a share of the Mid-American Conference title this year, the 159th in Eastern Michigan history, but repeated as the program with the highest GPA in the nation. This award is a true testament to the dedication of the student-athletes, coaches, and all those supporting them along the way."
"I couldn't be more proud of this team," EMU Head Coach Maddie Dugan said. "In just my first year here, it's been incredible to witness the standard these student-athletes hold themselves to, on the field and especially in the classroom. Their dedication, discipline, and daily work ethic show up in everything they do. Balancing the demands of college academics and NCAA Division I athletics isn't easy, but this group continues to raise the bar. I am extremely proud of the example they've set and how they continue to represent EMU."
After finishing its third varsity season in 2025, Eastern, who earned a share of its first conference title this year by splitting regular season honors with the University of Akron and Robert Morris University, held the highest GPA among the 116 NCAA Division I teams that recorded a 3.2+ GPA for the academic year. The Eagles joined Post University (3.82) from NCAA Division II, Haverford College (3.88) from NCAA Division III, and Keiser University (3.79) from NAIA as the recipients of the 2025 honors.
The IWLCA first recognized Merit Squads starting in 2009 with 16 honors bestowed (no squad was named in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic). The first non-Ivy League team to be named the Merit Squad since Stanford University in 2021, the Eagles are the third team to earn the distinction in back-to-back seasons following both Brown University (2014 & 2015) and Yale University (2018 & 2019). Overall, 11 different institutions have earned Merit Squad honors with Brown leading the way with three and the trio of Eastern Michigan, Stanford, and Yale tied for the second most with two each.
As a team in 2025, the Eagles also were recognized as an IWLCA NCAA Division I Academic Honor Squad for the third consecutive year while the organization also selected 12 Eagles for IWLCA NCAA Division I Academic Honor Roll distinction. All told, 14 Eagles were named Academic All-MAC as well.
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For updates on EMU Lacrosse, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, @EMU_Lacrosse, and Twitter, @EMU_Lacrosse.
2025 IWLCA Merit Squads
NCAA DI - Eastern Michigan University (3.79)
NCAA DII - Post University (3.82)
NCAA DIII - Haverford College (3.88)
NAIA - Keiser University (3.79)
All-Time IWLCA NCAA Division I Merit Squads
2025 - Eastern Michigan
2024 - Eastern Michigan
2023 - Harvard
2022 - Brown
2021 - Stanford
2020 - no honoree (COVID)
2019 - Yale
2018 - Yale
2017 - Cornell
2016 - Stanford
2015 - Brown
2014 - Brown
2013 - Detroit Mercy
2012 - Drexel
2011 - American
2010 - Hofstra
2009 - Wagner
"I continue to applaud the efforts of our lacrosse student-athletes who have added another tremendous honor to their successful year," EMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee said. "In just three seasons, this program has worked daily with a championship mindset. They not only captured a share of the Mid-American Conference title this year, the 159th in Eastern Michigan history, but repeated as the program with the highest GPA in the nation. This award is a true testament to the dedication of the student-athletes, coaches, and all those supporting them along the way."
"I couldn't be more proud of this team," EMU Head Coach Maddie Dugan said. "In just my first year here, it's been incredible to witness the standard these student-athletes hold themselves to, on the field and especially in the classroom. Their dedication, discipline, and daily work ethic show up in everything they do. Balancing the demands of college academics and NCAA Division I athletics isn't easy, but this group continues to raise the bar. I am extremely proud of the example they've set and how they continue to represent EMU."
After finishing its third varsity season in 2025, Eastern, who earned a share of its first conference title this year by splitting regular season honors with the University of Akron and Robert Morris University, held the highest GPA among the 116 NCAA Division I teams that recorded a 3.2+ GPA for the academic year. The Eagles joined Post University (3.82) from NCAA Division II, Haverford College (3.88) from NCAA Division III, and Keiser University (3.79) from NAIA as the recipients of the 2025 honors.
The IWLCA first recognized Merit Squads starting in 2009 with 16 honors bestowed (no squad was named in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic). The first non-Ivy League team to be named the Merit Squad since Stanford University in 2021, the Eagles are the third team to earn the distinction in back-to-back seasons following both Brown University (2014 & 2015) and Yale University (2018 & 2019). Overall, 11 different institutions have earned Merit Squad honors with Brown leading the way with three and the trio of Eastern Michigan, Stanford, and Yale tied for the second most with two each.
As a team in 2025, the Eagles also were recognized as an IWLCA NCAA Division I Academic Honor Squad for the third consecutive year while the organization also selected 12 Eagles for IWLCA NCAA Division I Academic Honor Roll distinction. All told, 14 Eagles were named Academic All-MAC as well.
Follow Us
For updates on EMU Lacrosse, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, @EMU_Lacrosse, and Twitter, @EMU_Lacrosse.
2025 IWLCA Merit Squads
NCAA DI - Eastern Michigan University (3.79)
NCAA DII - Post University (3.82)
NCAA DIII - Haverford College (3.88)
NAIA - Keiser University (3.79)
All-Time IWLCA NCAA Division I Merit Squads
2025 - Eastern Michigan
2024 - Eastern Michigan
2023 - Harvard
2022 - Brown
2021 - Stanford
2020 - no honoree (COVID)
2019 - Yale
2018 - Yale
2017 - Cornell
2016 - Stanford
2015 - Brown
2014 - Brown
2013 - Detroit Mercy
2012 - Drexel
2011 - American
2010 - Hofstra
2009 - Wagner
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