ROCK HILL, S.C. (August 27, 2026) – The South Atlantic Conference had 1,594 student-athletes earn Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) Academic Achievement Awards for the 2025-26 academic year, the second-highest total among all NCAA Division II conferences.
The SAC trailed only the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), which had 1,937 honorees, and was one of nine Division II conferences with more than 1,000 student-athletes recognized.
More than 21,000 student-athletes from 179 institutions nationwide earned Academic Achievement Awards in 2025-26. Now in its 19th year, the D2 ADA program recognizes the academic accomplishments of student-athletes competing in NCAA Division II championship-sponsored sports.
Newberry led all SAC institutions with 214 honorees, followed by Catawba with 206. Both institutions were among just 15 Division II schools nationally with more than 200 student-athletes recognized.
Lincoln Memorial had 174 student-athletes honored, followed by Wingate with 171, Mars Hill with 147, UVA Wise with 143, Anderson with 142, Tusculum with 138, Carson-Newman with 131 and Coker with 128.
To qualify for the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, have completed at least two years (four semesters) of college-level work and have been an active member of an intercollegiate team during the most recent academic year. The student-athlete's athletics director must also be a current dues-paying member of the D2 ADA.
SAC D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award Recipients
Newberry – 214
Catawba – 206
Lincoln Memorial – 174
Wingate – 171
Mars Hill – 147
UVA Wise – 143
Anderson – 142
Tusculum – 138
Carson-Newman – 131
Coker – 128
SAC Total – 1,594
About the D2 ADA
The Division 2 Athletics Directors Association provides educational and networking opportunities, enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics, and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of Division