CLEVELAND - The Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) announced the 2023-24 recipients of the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards. The Academic Achievement Awards, in its 17
th year, is a program that recognizes the academic accomplishments of student-athletes at the Division II level.
For the second straight year, there were more than 19,000 student-athletes recognized (19,774) from 192 institutions for the 2023-24 Academic Achievement Awards. This year's total is the highest in the program's history. In total, 167,396 student-athletes have been recognized since the inception of the awards program.
This year, the South Atlantic Conference takes home the top spot with the largest number of student-athlete honorees with 2,076 total. The following conferences have more than 1,000 student-athletes being recognized:
- Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference - 1919
- Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference - 1318
- Pacific West Conference - 1124
- Great Midwest Athletic Conference – 1075
- Conference Carolinas – 1070
"The goal of this program since inception has been to showcase the amazing student-athletes, coaches and staff, across our Division II landscape. We are fortunate to recognize such deserving individuals on an annual basis," said Mike McFarland, director of athletics at Bloomsburg University and current D2 ADA President. "We couldn't be prouder of the work that these individuals put into their craft. Our industry will be a better place as these student-athletes head out into the real world."
In addition to the conferences, 12 institutions will recognize more than 200 student-athletes with this recognition on their individual campus:
- Emmanuel University (Conference Carolinas) – 256
- Lenoir-Rhyne University (SAC) – 244
- Florida Southern College (SSC) - 230
- Tiffin University (GMAC) – 228
- Walsh University (GMAC)- 224
- Newberry College (SAC) - 221
- Gannon University (PSAC) - 209
- Bentley University (NE-10) – 207
- Colorado Mesa University (RMAC) - 205
- Davenport University (GLIAC) – 204
- Limestone University (SAC) - 204
- Lander University (PBC) – 200
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 …
- a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- have attended a minimum of two years (four semesters) of college level work
- have been an active member of an intercollegiate team during his/her last academic year