CLEVELAND, Ohio – A total of 59 student-athletes representing Texas A&M University-Commerce have been awarded the Division 2 Athletics Directors Association's Academic Achievement Award for their efforts in the 2019-20 academic year.
A&M-Commerce's 59 honorees are the most for the Lions since the award was created in 2008, beating the previous school record of 58 set in 2018-19. Lion scholar-athletes have increased their record total in each of the last five academic years.
"This high level of academic achievement during an unprecedented time is remarkable," A&M-Commerce Director of Athletics
Tim McMurray said. "During the final half of the spring semester, our student-athletes had to be innovative in completing their studies, managing their time, and being patient with their circumstances. To add this to our record spring achievement is certainly reason to celebrate."
In total, there were 15,214 student-athletes from 200 institutions recognized for the 2019-20 Academic Achievement Awards. These numbers shattered the records for highest number of participating institutions and the largest number of student-athletes being nominated since the award program's inception.
"In a year when we can use all of the good news, the D2 ADA Officers and Board of Directors are proud to recognize the highest number of student-athletes with the Academic Achievement Award than ever before," said D2 ADA President
JR Smith, director of athletics at Chadron State College. "The nominations also came from a record number of institutions, showcasing the passion and dedication of our Association and Division II as a whole."
In order for a student-athlete to receive an Academic Achievement Award, the athletics director of the Division II institution must be a current dues-paying member of the D2 ADA.
Also, the 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
Texas A&M University-Commerce student-athletes who earned the award are:
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