The success and prestige of the Marshall University athletic program extends beyond the physical accomplishments on the field, court, track and pool. It also extends to classrooms, study halls and textbooks.

Marshall athletics led Conference USA with 59 Commissioner’s Academic Medal winners for the 2015-16 school year, league commissioner Judy MacLeod announced Wednesday.

The Commissioner’s Academic Medal is given to C-USA student athletes who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or better.

The women’s soccer program led all the Marshall athletic programs with nine honorees, which included: Courtney Andrews, Kelly Culicerto, Brittany Entz, Peyton Miller, Jordan Parkhurst, Mary Schmeck, Erin Simmons, Julianna Smith and Jenna Zuzolo.

The volleyball, swimming and diving and softball teams had the second most honorees with seven student-athletes apiece.

The women’s track and field (5), women’s cross country (5), men’s soccer (4), baseball (3), men’s golf (3), tennis (3), men’s cross country (2) women’s basketball (2), men’s basketball (1) and women’s golf (1) teams were also represented.

The University of North Texas was second in the conference with 49 honorees, while Middle Tennessee State University was third with 46.