GREENSBORO, N.C. – Colorado State University Pueblo Baseball has been recognized for its excellence in the classroom as the ThunderWolves earned the 2025-26 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Team Academic Excellence Award, presented by Sports Attack.
The award recognizes high school and collegiate baseball programs that posted a cumulative team grade-point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale during the 2025-26 academic year. Under the leadership of head coach Bobby Applegate, the ThunderWolves recorded a 3.15 cumulative team GPA during the 2025-26 academic year to earn the distinction. To be eligible, programs must have an active ABCA member serving as head coach and meet the academic benchmark established by the organization. CSU Pueblo was one of nearly 500 collegiate baseball programs nationwide to receive the prestigious honor, while more than 800 high school and college programs were recognized overall.
"This recognition is a testament to the dedication and discipline our student-athletes display every day," Applegate said. "Our players work incredibly hard to compete at a high level while also excelling in the classroom. I'm proud of the commitment they've made to representing CSU Pueblo the right way, and this award is a reflection of that effort."
The academic honor comes on the heels of another successful season for the ThunderWolves. CSU Pueblo finished the 2026 campaign with a 27-26 overall record and an 18-14 mark in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, securing the program's third consecutive winning season. The Pack closed the year on a high note, earning a victory over then No. 1-ranked Colorado Mesa in its second-to-last game of the season, showcasing the program's continued growth and competitiveness. Over the past three seasons, Applegate has guided the ThunderWolves to an 88-69 overall record, continuing to establish CSU Pueblo as one of the RMAC's rising programs both on the field and in the classroom.
The ABCA Team Academic Excellence Award highlights programs that emphasize success beyond the baseball diamond and reinforces CSU Pueblo's commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes.
The American Baseball Coaches Association has recognized excellence in collegiate and high school baseball for decades. In addition to the Team Academic Excellence Award, the organization annually presents the ABCA/Rawlings All-America and All-Region Teams, Regional and National Coach of the Year honors, the ABCA Hall of Fame and several other prestigious awards recognizing achievement both on and off the field.
