2025 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence Finalists
 

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Among the 22 schools to be recognized for initiatives in the past year that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement, and student-athlete leadership, Academy of Art Athletics had its "Hoops With The Troops" event named the Pacific West Conference finalist for the 2025 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.

Growing a concept now in its fourth consecutive year during San Francisco Fleet Week, Academy of Art men's and women's basketball joined with the U.S. Navy and Marines in hosting a basketball clinic on the docking area of the USS Tripoli (LHA 7) for over 160 inner city youth with a tour of the ship to cap two separate evenings on Oct. 7-8, 2024.

Youth from groups such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, Police Athletic League of San Francisco, Booker T. Washington Community Center, and TEL HI Neighborhood Center were exposed to the collegiate student-athlete experience as well as that of the military, basketball fundamentals, and new career possibilities as ART U also partnered with BSN, Nike, and Professional Charter Services for the event.

"For the fourth annual ART U Hoops With The Troops event, due to demand we worked with the Navy and the Fleet Week Planning Committee and expanded the event to two nights instead of just one evening," said Director of Athletics Brad Jones. "We appreciate the support for this event and we will continue to look to continuing to grow the ART U Hoops With The Troops for future years."

Division II annually honors its members for conducting events that promote student-athletes giving back and serving as leaders within their communities or on their campuses. A committee of athletics administrators determined this year's finalists, and the national Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee selected the top three finalists, who will be announced at the Division II business session on Jan. 17 at the 2025 NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

Academy of Art was previously a NCAA Award of Excellence finalist for its women's soccer celebration of National Coming Out Day in 2015.