CLEVELAND, OHIO – 126 athletes representing the University of Texas at Tyler have earned the Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award as announced on Tuesday.

The 126 athletes are tops in the Lone Star Conference and represent a record total of 19,774 from 192 institutions for the 2023-2024 academic year.

To qualify for the award, the Athletic Director must be a dues paying member, student-athletes must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, attended a minimum of two years of college work, and have been an active member of an intercollegiate team during his/her last academic year.

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

 
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.