Beginning this academic year, the NCAA's Elite 90 award will be renamed the Elite Scholar-Athlete award.
The honor, which recognizes student-athletes and their exceptional achievements in athletics and academics, is given to the individual with the highest cumulative GPA at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.
Originally known as the Elite 88 award at its inception in 2009, the name evolved to Elite 89 and Elite 90 with the additions of the Division III Men's Volleyball Championship in the 2011-12 school year and the National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship in the 2015-16 school year. This academic year, the total number of championships will grow to 92. The Association is adding the National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships, and fencing is splitting from one coed championship to separate men's and women's National Collegiate Championships.
By changing the name to Elite Scholar-Athlete, the honor will better accommodate the growing landscape of NCAA Championships. In addition to the two new championships this school year, emerging sports for women like acrobatics and tumbling, triathlon and stunt are progressing toward NCAA championship status.
"We have been thrilled to see the rise of our emerging sports for women as they continue to elevate toward NCAA championship sponsorship," said Lynda Tealer, NCAA senior vice president of championships. "By aligning the Elite Scholar-Athlete award with this movement, the NCAA can continue to highlight the amazing accomplishments of our student-athletes as sport sponsorship among the membership grows."
Over the past 16 years, more than 1,300 awards have been given out, with notable winners including NFL quarterback Carson Wentz and Hall of Fame basketball player Maya Moore.
Eligible student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and in at least their second year of competition at their current school in any sport. They must also be an active member on the roster, eligible for the championship, and a member of the designated squad at the championship site in sports with squad size limitations.
For more information, visit ncaa.org/elite-scholar-athlete.
