489 CIAA Student-Athletes Earn D2 ADA Academic Awards

Nine CIAA institutions represented among 2025-26 academic honorees

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) continues to demonstrate its commitment to academic excellence as 489 student-athletes from nine member institutions were recognized as recipients of the 2025-26 Division II Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) Academic Achievement Awards.

Now in its 19th year, the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards program recognizes the academic accomplishments of student-athletes competing in NCAA Division II championship-sponsored sports.

More than 21,000 student-athletes from 179 institutions were recognized nationally during the 2025-26 academic year. Since the inception of the program, 211,256 student-athletes have earned D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award recognition.

“The success of our student-athletes extends well beyond competition, and this recognition is another example of the excellence they demonstrate every day,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker. “We are extremely proud of these 489 student-athletes for their commitment to their education while balancing the demands of collegiate athletics. We also celebrate our institutions, coaches, faculty, administrators and academic support staffs who continue to create environments where our student-athletes can thrive in the classroom, in competition and beyond.”

Virginia State University led the CIAA with 103 student-athletes recognized, followed by Fayetteville State University with 66 and Bluefield State University with 60.

The complete breakdown of CIAA student-athletes recognized includes:

The recognition reinforces the CIAA’s longstanding mission to develop the complete student-athlete and highlights the continued academic achievement taking place across the conference’s member institutions.