South Atlantic Conference Produces Second-Most on D2ADA Academic Achievement Award Recipients

CLEVELAND - The Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) announced the 2024-25 recipients of the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards. The Academic Achievement Awards, in its 18^th year, is a program that recognizes the academic accomplishments of student-athletes at the Division II level.

After leading all Division II conferences and setting a record a year ago, the South Atlantic Conference produced the second-most honorees in 2024-25 with 1,755 total student-athlete selections. Catawba landed 207 on the list, the 12th most in all of Division II. For the second straight year, Newberry produced the second-most recipients in the SAC with 192, a number that was tied with Wingate and Lincoln Memorial. 

For the first time since inception, there were more than 22,000 student-athletes recognized (22,740) from a record 202 institutions for the 2024-25 Academic Achievement Awards. This year's totals are the highest in the program's history.

"Since its inception, this program has been dedicated to celebrating the exceptional student- athletes who define excellence across our Division II landscape," said Traci Murphy, vice president for athletics at Daemen University and current D2 ADA President. "This year, we are thrilled to recognize a record number of deserving individuals, reflecting the unprecedented dedication within our division - not only in athletics, but in the classroom as well. This year's record-breaking submissions for both individuals and schools serve as a testament to the Division II way. Thanks to the administrators that nominated these outstanding individuals, and
much-deserved congratulations to our 22,000-plus recipients."

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

To view the complete breakdown by schools, click here. 

About D2 ADA: The D2 ADA is the first organization of its kind to provide educational and networking opportunities; enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics; and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of Division II athletics directors. For more information about the D2 ADA, please visit www.div2ada.com. The D2 ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 60th year. For more information on NACDA and the 18 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.