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:

Institution	Honorees
Virginia State University	103
Fayetteville State University	66
Bluefield State University	60
Livingstone College	58
Winston-Salem State University	52
Johnson C. Smith University	48
Bowie State University	41
Claflin University	39
Elizabeth City State University	22
Total	489

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.

Media Contact:  
Matisse S. Lee | mlee@theciaa.com  
Senior Associate Commissioner, Communications & Marketing  
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)  

About the CIAA  
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.  

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University.  

For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.