CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) announced the 2025-26 recipients of the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards. The Academic Achievement Awards, in its 19th year, is a program that recognizes the academic accomplishments of student-athletes at the Division II level in NCAA championship sponsored sports. One of two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference institutions with honorees, Albany State placed 45 student-athletes on the Recipient list.
 
Overall, a total of 21,000-plus student-athletes were recognized from 179 institutions for the 2025-26 Academic Achievement Awards.
Historically, 211,256 total student-athletes have been recognized since the inception of the awards program.

In the SIAC, Spring Hill and ASU were the only two Conference member schools among the recipients and made up all 134 for the league. Spring Hill saw 89 of its student-athletes earn the status, while ASU had the other 45.

Full D2 ADA Release

This year, nine conferences have more than 1,000 student-athletes recognized with the Pennsylvania State Atlantic Conference (PSAC) taking home the top spot with the largest number of student-athlete honorees with 1,937 total. The following conferences have more than 1,000 student athletes being recognized:

• • Conference Carolinas – 1396
• • Great Midwest Athletic Conference – 1210
• • Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association – 1254
• • Northeast 10 Conference – 1060
• • Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference – 1428
• • Pacific West Conference - 1186
• • South Atlantic Conference - 1594
• • Sunshine State Conference - 1119

 "In year 19, this program continues its dedication to celebrating the exceptional student-athletes who define excellence across our Division II landscape," said Jenn Bell, associate VP and director of athletics at Converse University and current D2 ADA President. "We're proud to recognize more than 21,000 deserving student-athletes from 179 institutions, reflecting the tremendous dedication within our division — not only in athletics, but in the classroom as well. This year's submissions, from both individuals and schools, serve as a testament to the Division II way. Thanks to the administrators who nominated these outstanding individuals, and much-deserved congratulations to all this year's recipients."

In addition to the conferences, 15 institutions will recognize more than 200-plus student-athletes with this recognition on their individual campus:

• • Bentley University (NE-10) - 219
• • Catawba College (SAC) - 206
• • Colorado Mesa University (RMAC) - 276
• • Delta State University (GSC) - 219
• • East Stroudsburg University (PSAC) - 264
• • Emmanuel University (CC) – 365
• • Florida Southern College (SSC) – 219
• • Lynn University (SSC) - 249
• • Newberry College (SAC) - 214

• • Rockhurst University (GLVC) – 266
• • Slippery Rock University (PSAC) - 257
• • Tiffin University (GMAC) - 297
• • Truman State University (GLVC) – 222
• • University of Indianapolis (GLVC) - 208
• • University of Mount Olive (CC) - 322

 
To qualify for this honor, the following must occur:

• • The AD MUST BE a CURRENT dues-paying member of the D2 ADA.

• Student-athlete must have … o a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
o have attended a minimum of two years (four semesters) of college level work
o have been an active member of an intercollegiate team during his/her last academic year.

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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS 
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 12 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, baseball, and football, with all teams competing in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).