Real Student Athletes

We've long known Jarvis Christian student athletes have been a cut above when it comes to academics. The women's basketball team consistently ranks as one of the best in the Red River Athletic Conference when it comes to grade point average. Now, the entire athletic department is being recognized.

Jarvis Christine College student athletes were recognized and honored for having the highest grade point average (GPA) in the Red River Athletic Conference. Institutions of the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) are ranked based on the cumulative GPA of all student athletes competing in RRAC-sanctioned sports. At the end of the academic year (2005-2006), Jarvis Christian College’s student-athletes posted the best cumulative GPA among all RRAC schools and claimed the conference’s GPA award.

While not surprised, Athletic Director and Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Elissia Burwell, was nonetheless thrilled and happy to accept the award.

“This is a great honor for our student athletes and Jarvis Christian College," Burwell said. "It is a testament of their commitment and work off the field or court of play. I’m proud of our students and I know that they take pride in their academic accomplishments."

Jarvis ranked first among the fourteen schools who are members of the RRAC, which is an affiliated conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Conference members include: Bacone College (Okla.), Houston Baptist University (Texas), Huston-Tillotson College (Texas), Jarvis Christian College (Texas), Langston University (Okla.), Northwood University (Texas), Paul Quinn College (Texas), College of the Southwest (N.M), Southwestern Assemblies of God University (Texas), Texas College, Texas A&M International University, University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Texas Wesleyan University, and Wiley College (Texas).

“Last year, we finished second in the running for the conference GPA award," Burwell added. "Our students have always been encouraged to not only excel in sports, but to also excel academically.”

The last time Jarvis Christian College won the GPA award was at the end of the 2000-2001 academic year.

The following listing of Jarvis student athletes were recognized by the RRAC for achieving a 3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale: Ebony Bailey, Houston, TX; Roderick Braden, Natchitoches, LA; Jacoby Bobb, Beaumont, TX; Shamiah Bryson, Spencer, OK; Nathaniel Carter, Marietta, TX; Demarion Crite, Channelview, TX; Crystal Fisher, Crockett, TX; Skyla Gordon, Gladewater, TX; Terrance Harris, Beaumont, TX; Dawnette Jackson, Houston, TX; Tammy Jessie, Hawkins, TX; Trenton Johnson, Tyler, TX; Brandon Martin, Houston, TX; Dominique Mathis, Burton, TX; Isaiah McKibbin, Houston, TX; Ericka Medina, Columbia, South America; Hector Mercado, Ciales, Puerto Rico; Johnathan Pagan, Vega Alta, Puerto Rico; Jennifer Payne, Shelbyville, TX; Ruben Perez, Carolina, Puerto Rico; Clara Rayos, Pasadena, TX; Felix Rivera, Arecibo, Puerto Rico; Britni Robertson, Pasadena, TX; Tanisha Ruff, Dallas, TX; TaShea Scott, Lancaster, TX; Sheree Smiling, Tyler, TX; Lenard Taylor, Galena Park, TX; Axel Torres, Manati, Puerto Rico; and Sable Ward, Houston, TX.