CLEVELAND, Ohio - 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 18th year, is a program that recognizes the academic accomplishments of student-athletes at the Division II level in NCAA sponsored sports. Lee University had 122 student-athletes across all sports earn the recognition. The Flames were tied for the most in the Gulf South Conference with the University of West Florida.

For the first time since inception, there were more than 20,000 student-athletes recognized (22,756) from a record 202 institutions for the 2024-25 Academic Achievement Awards. This year's totals are the highest in the program's history. 

Historically, 190,032 total student-athletes have been recognized since the inception of the awards program. 

This year, the Pennsylvania State Atlantic Conference (PSAC) takes home the top spot with the largest number of student-athlete honorees with 2,051 total. The Gulf South Conference had 669 student-athletes from seven schools.

"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 

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 61st year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.