Dynasty in the classroom: WBB wins fourth MacEwan Academic Team of the Year award in past five years
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Continuing what has been the gold standard of academic excellence amongst Griffins student-athletes in recent years, the MacEwan women's basketball team has won the Cathryn Heslep Academic Team of the Year award for the 2025-26 season.
It's the fourth time in the past five seasons that the award has gone their way after they won three-straight from 2021-24.
The trophy annually goes to the Griffins team with the best combined GPA.
Women's basketball topped all of MacEwan's teams with a 3.306 – the best of five Griffins squads that finished with a combined GPA 3.0 or higher.
"We are thrilled to be named the Cathryn Heslep Academic Team of the Year for the 2025-26 season," said Griffins women's basketball head coach Katherine Adams. "This recognition speaks to the character, commitment, and culture of excellence our student-athletes have built together. This group genuinely cares about one another, and that support has been a huge part of their growth and success both athletically and academically."
Women's volleyball broke their streak by winning the trophy in 2024-25 with a 3.448, but prior to that, women's basketball captured the 2021-22 honour with a 3.508, the 2022-23 trophy with a 3.58 and the 2023-24 award with a 3.505.
"Our student-athletes take great pride in their academic achievements, and their commitment to excellence in the classroom reflects the same care, accountability, and teamwork they bring to the court," said Adams. "This award is a reflection of the collective effort of an exceptional group of young women."
The Cathryn Heslep Academic Team of the Year award first started in 1990-91 as the Athletic Alumni Chapter Award. Since then, there have been 22 known winners with some of the award's history unknown.
Of the known winners, women's volleyball has captured the honour the most. Led by a run of five-straight wins between 2004-09, they've won it 10 times. Women's basketball is now tied for second with four, all won recently.
Stay tuned to our social media channels next week as we unveil more classroom honours for our student-athletes – our Top Academic Awards, which are presented annually to the Griffins with the best GPA in each of MacEwan's five faculties.
Monday, May 11: School of Business
Tuesday, May 12: Faculty of Fine Arts & Communications
Wednesday, May 13: Faculty of Health & Community Studies
Thursday, May 14: Faculty of Arts & Science
Friday, May 15: Faculty of Nursing
