40 in 40 - Academic All-Americans

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Title IX, wmubroncos.com takes a look at 40 key moments/females in the history of women's athletics at Western Michigan University. Though the selection process, an effort was made to highlight a moment and player/coach from each of our current women's sports programs, as well pay respect to our women's legacy sports. A different feature will be released each of the 40 days, July 24 through Sept. 1.

 

Academic All-Americans

The top honor a student-athlete can earn is an Academic All-American recognition by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). The NCAA officially began sponsoring women’s athletics in 1982 and CoSIDA carried suite, selecting female Academic All-Americans in the years following.

Since 1983-84, Western Michigan has had 13 different female student-athletes earn a total of 17 Academic All-America recognitions.

To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing and be nominated by their sports information director. One must also be voted First Team Academic All-District to advance to the national ballot.

Six of the 13 Bronco student-athletes have reached the elite First Team Academic All-American status, while the seven others have earned second or third team recognition.

Only two Broncos have ever been chosen as an Academic All-American on multiple occasions. Track & field and cross country legend Kayla Skelly was a three-time selection, twice collecting a second team nod as well as earning a first team status. Volleyball standout Julie Young was a two-time honoree, earning a spot on both the first and second teams.

Volleyball has had the most Academic All-Americans selections at Western Michigan, producing five, while softball and track & field and cross country each have had four (Kelly accounting for three of track & field and cross country). Gymnastics has two Academic-All-Americans, while basketball and soccer each have one.

In two different academic school years, 1983-84 and this past year, 2011-12, Western Michigan has had three different individuals tabbed as Academic All-Americans. This past year, the sports of women’s soccer and gymnastics had their first ever honorees, as Anina Cicerone was a First Team Academic All-American in soccer and gymnasts Stacy Kramer and Taylor Zondervan both earned third team honors.

 

Western Michigan Female Academic All-Americans

Basketball - 1
Carrie Moore - Second Team - 2006-07

Gymnastics - 2
Stacy Kramer - Third Team - 2011-12
Taylor Zondervan - Third Team 2011-12

Soccer - 1
Anina Cicerone - First Team - 2011-12

Softball - 4
Bonni Kinne - First Team - 1983-84
Cindy Weber - Second Team 1986-87
Laura Brower - Third Team - 1989-90
Jaymie Voss - First Team - 2003-04

Track & Field/Cross Country - 4
Kayla Skelly - Second Team - 1983-84
Kayla Skelly - Second Team - 1984-85
Kayla Skelly - First Team - 1985-86
Jamie Strieter - Second Team - 1997-98

Volleyball - 5
Jackie Backus - Third Team - 1983-84
Lynda McLean - First Team - 1987-88
Julie Young - Third Team - 1990-91
Julie Young - First Team - 1991-92
Allyson Doyle - First Team - 2010-11