TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama topped the Southeastern Conference Winter Academic Honor Roll with 48 student-athletes SEC Commissioner Mike Slive announced today. Kentucky was next with 45 honorees followed by Florida with 44 student-athletes honored.

"We are extremely proud of the honors our student-athletes continue to earn in the classroom," Alabama Athletics Director Mal Moore said. "Our coaches, athletes and staff are all dedicated to achieving a very high level of academic success and the fact that we lead the conference in this area is certainly a point of pride."

The women's swimming and diving team led the way for the Crimson Tide with 23 student-athletes, the highest total of any school and any sport. The 2009 SEC Champion Alabama Gymnastics team saw all 11 of its upperclassmen make the list, a total that was best among league's gymnastics teams. The men's swimming and diving team placed 10 on the list and the men's and women's basketball team had two honorees each.

To earn a place on the honor roll, a student-athlete must earn a 3.0 or better grade point average for either the preceding academic year or their career and be a sophomore or better in academic standing. The winter list honors those student-athletes that participate in men's and women's basketball, gymnastics and men's and women's swimming and diving.

The conference will recognize the sports whose championships are in the spring as well as this year's freshmen at a later date.

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