The Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) announced the 2024-25 recipients of the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards with 157 Northwest Missouri State University student-athletes gaining recognition.

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. 

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. 

"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