CLEVELAND -- On Wednesday, the Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) announced the 2015-16 recipients of the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards. Among the list of honorees were 13 Academy of Art University Urban Knights dedicated to being well-rounded student-athletes.
Of the 156 institutions that submitted nominees, a record total of 8,072 student-athletes were recognized for their efforts this past year. The winners of the awards came from seven different Academy of Art University sports. This select group of 13 Urban Knights earned the distinction, representing ART U among its fellow NCAA Division II institutions.
The Academic Achievement Award winners were selected based upon a strict set of criteria. In addition to the athletics director of the Division II institution being a current dues paying member of the D2ADA, the student-athletes chosen must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, have attended a minimum of two years (four semesters) of college level work, and have been an active member of an intercollegiate team during his/her last academic year.
Below is an alphabetical list of the Urban Knights earning the D2ADA Academic Achievement Award:
In addition to Academy of Art University, student-athletes from 11 other schools within the Pacific West Conference also received honors including Azusa Pacific, California Baptist, Chaminade, Concordia, Dixie State, Dominican, Fresno Pacific, Holy Names, Notre Dame de Namur, Point Loma, and UH Hilo.
"The number of student-athletes that are recognized for their academic achievements continues to grow each year," said D2 ADA President Pennie Parker, director of athletics at Rollins College. "I am so pleased the D2 ADA membership participates annually in this important initiative that showcases the academic efforts of our extremely talented student-athletes."
