INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Twenty-five schools and two conferences have been named finalists for the 2024 Division II Award of Excellence, an accolade recognizing initiatives in the past year that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement and student-athlete leadership. Eight finalists were picked as at-large honorees for submitting a strong nomination that was not chosen as the finalist for their conference.
The NE10 is represented among the finalists by the Franklin Pierce Track & Field and Cross-Country teams for their engagement with students from a local middle school.
Division II honors its members each year 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. 13 at the 2024 NCAA Convention in Phoenix.
Each finalist will receive $500. In addition, the winner will receive $2,500, the first runner-up will receive $1,250 and the second runner-up will receive $1,000. All prize money is intended to be used for future SAAC initiatives or community engagement events.
As part of their initiative, the Ravens student-athletes each partnered with a younger student runner from a local middle school team. The Ravens exchanged letters with their “buddies” throughout the season and volunteered at the school’s home cross-country meet, creating signs and cheering them on. The bonds extended beyond race-day with a pasta dinner for the middle school’s state meet and a pizza/karaoke party together after the NE10 Championships.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 12 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
