As part of Division II’s emphasis on community engagement, the division annually honors institutions and conferences with the Award of Excellence for community engagement efforts.

Each active Division II school and conference is eligible to submit its best community engagement activity and/or event that promotes student-athletes giving back and serving as leaders within their communities. A few initiatives schools may consider include student-athlete leadership development, educational programming, military appreciation, game environment, Make-A-Wish® or Team IMPACT®.

Entry Nomination Guidelines

Digital submissions telling the story of the activity or event must be received not later than WEDNESDAY, NOV. 13, 2024, and should combine these items into one PDF:

• An overview of the activity or event. Identify the theme for the activity or event and note the means in which the theme was used. Within the overview, explain how the activity or event has made an impact on the campus or in the community.
• Still photos (not more than 10) or video links highlighting the activity or event. Videos should not be longer than three minutes in length.
• Any fliers or promotional materials related to the activity or event (including any newspaper or online articles).

To be eligible for consideration, the activity or event must have occurred between December 2023 and November 2024.

The 23 conference winners, winning independent institution and at-large honorees will be announced on ncaa.org in January. The 2025 Division II Award of Excellence national winner will be recognized during the 2025 NCAA Convention. Submit your nomination for receipt not later than WEDNESDAY, NOV. 13, 2024, to  D2award@ncaa.org.

The Prizes 

Monetary prizes are given. All prize money is to be used toward future community engagement initiatives.

Each conference winner, independent winner and at-large honoree: $750

Third-place national finalist: $1,500 (initial prize plus additional $750)

National runner-up: $1,750 (initial prize plus additional $1,000)

The 2025 Division II Award of Excellence winner: $3,000 (initial prize plus additional $2,250)

History of Award

Lindenwood University won the inaugural Award of Excellence for its efforts to raise money and awareness for the cause of Sterling Thomas, a Lindenwood football player who suffered a serious spinal cord injury in October 2012.

The Award of Excellence began as the Division II Community Engagement Award in 2008, and it was accompanied by a Division II Game Environment Award in 2010. At the 2014 Convention, Division II combined the two awards to allow the division to give larger prizes and prestige to those member conferences or institutions that participated.

Submit your 2025 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence nomination for receipt not later than WEDNESDAY, NOV. 13 to D2award@ncaa.org.