Celebrating academic and athletic excellence, expanded program will culminate in the selection of 1 man and 1 woman as NCAA Elite Scholar-Athletes of the Year
The NCAA is expanding its Elite Scholar-Athlete program to provide year-round recognition of the nation’s most accomplished student-athletes, introducing new seasonal honors and the Elite Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.
The enhanced program builds on the NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete Award, presented at each NCAA championship finals site across Divisions I, II and III. The expanded recognition will elevate the achievements of these exceptional student-athletes beyond the championship stage, creating opportunities throughout the year to celebrate their academic success, athletic excellence, leadership and contributions to their communities.
For the first time, the NCAA will choose a man and a woman each season from among the Elite Scholar-Athlete Award fall, winter and spring championship winners. Those six seasonal honorees will then be considered for the NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, with one man and one woman announced as the inaugural national winners in summer 2027.
“The Elite Scholar-Athlete program represents the very best of the college sports experience,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said. “These remarkable student-athletes are excelling academically, competing at the highest level of their sport and making meaningful contributions to those around them. By expanding this program, we’re creating more opportunities to celebrate their success, share their stories and demonstrate how college sports prepare young people for success long after graduation.”
The Elite Scholar-Athlete Award recognizes student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade-point average among eligible competitors at each NCAA championship finals site.
Recipients of the seasonal NCAA Fall, Winter and Spring Elite Scholar-Athlete Awards and the annual honors will be selected by a cross-divisional group of student-athletes representing the Division I Student-Athlete Advocacy Committee and Division II and III Student-Athlete Advisory Committees, with support from NCAA staff. This approach ensures student-athlete voices play a central role in recognizing their peers.
A key component of the expanded program is a greater investment in storytelling that extends recognition well beyond the presentation of an award. Through enhanced features, digital content and social media storytelling, the NCAA will spotlight the personal journeys, academic pursuits, leadership experiences and community contributions of Elite Scholar-Athletes throughout the year.
The NCAA will engage additional creative resources to help produce compelling content that brings these stories to life, providing greater national exposure for honorees while creating opportunities for schools and conferences to celebrate at the local level.
This expanded approach reinforces the NCAA’s commitment to showcasing the transformative value of college sports.
Learn more about the NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete Award at ncaa.org/elitescholarathlete.
