The University of Maine has won the 2003-04 America East Academic Cup, according to conference commissioner Chris Monasch.

UMaine student-athletes compiled a 3.12 grade-point average during the 2003-04 academic year, the highest GPA by an institution in the nine-year history of the award. It also marked the first time Maine has earned the Academic Cup.

Maine fielded teams in 16 of the 22 sports sponsored by the conference, and 13 teams posted GPAs of at least 3.05. The Black Bears had three sport leaders: women’s swimming and diving (3.28), men’s cross country (3.10) and field hockey (3.10), which tied Northeastern University and Vermont.

“Maine’s student-athletes, coaches and administrators should take great pride in their commitment to academics,” Monasch said. “Maine fans should take great pride not only in their teams’ accomplishments in the athletic arena but in the academic sector as well.”

“This is a tremendous honor for the University of Maine,” added Maine athletic director Patrick Nero. “Our student-athletes have done an excellent job in the classroom this past year and this recognition for their efforts is well deserved.”

Nero also credited the work of academic support staffers Ann Maxim, Cristina Kerluke and Antoine Smith, as well as Dr. George Jacobson, who serves as the faculty representative for athletics.