CLEVELAND — The student-athletes at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) have established a new institutional record for their collective academic achievements.
On Wednesday, 105 UAH student-athletes were recognized by the Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) as 2025-26 recipients of the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards. The Academic Achievement Awards is a program that recognizes the academic accomplishments of student-athletes at the Division II level in NCAA championship sponsored sports.
To qualify for the honor, an institution's athletics director must be a current dues-paying member of the D2 ADA while student-athletes must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, attended a minimum of two years (four semesters) of college level work and have been an active member of an intercollegiate team during their last academic year.
The 105 UAH student-athletes recognized marks the highest number of UAH recipients in the 19 years of the D2 ADA awards program. As an athletics department, UAH student-athletes achieved a cumulative 3.39 across all NCAA championship sponsored sports in the spring of 2026.
"It's a testament to the work and effort our student-athletes at The University of Alabama in Huntsville put forth," said Dr. Cade Smith, Director of Athletics at UAH. "They are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the classroom while balancing the rigors of their athletic endeavors.
"We are proud of the achievements our student-athletes reach in the classroom as much as we are of their accomplishments in athletics."
Overall, a total of 21,000-plus student-athletes were recognized from 179 institutions for the 2025-26 Academic Achievement Awards. In addition to UAH, six other Gulf South Conference member institutions were recognized with a collective total of 722 student-athletes receiving recognition in the conference.
Historically, 211,256 total student-athletes have been recognized since the inception of the awards program.
"In Year 19, this program continues its dedication to celebrating the exceptional student-athletes who define excellence across our Division II landscape," said Jenn Bell, associate VP and director of athletics at Converse University and current D2 ADA President. "We're proud to recognize more than 21,000 deserving student-athletes from 179 institutions, reflecting the tremendous dedication within our division — not only in athletics, but in the classroom as well.
"This year's submissions, from both individuals and schools, serve as a testament to the Division II way. Thanks to the administrators who nominated these outstanding individuals, and much deserved congratulations to all this year's recipients."
Click here for the full release from the D2 ADA.
