DII AWARD OF EXCELLENCE - FINALIST RELEASE
Winner to be Announced at NCAA Convention on Jan. 14.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - For the third time in school history, New Haven has been named a finalist for the prestigious NCAA Division II Award of Excellence as selected by the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
The NCAA Division II Award of Excellence recognizes an undertaking that exemplifies the Division II philosophy, identity, community engagement and student-athlete leadership initiatives. The 22 finalists selected for the 2023 honor were specifically cited for their creativity in advancing relationships within their communities.
The NCAA Division II SAAC selects a finalist representing all 19 conferences that make up the Division II landscape while also selecting three at-large finalists. Of the 22, the NCAA will select a winner, runner-up and third place honoree which will be announced on January 14 during the Division II Business Session at the 2023 NCAA Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
As a finalist, New Haven will receive $500 to be used toward future community engagement initiatives. 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.
As the Northeast-10 Conference finalist, New Haven was honored for Anthony's Wish Reveal which was made possible through a virtual fundraising campaign across department and team social media platforms to raise money for Make-A-Wish. The University of New Haven has been a top-five Make-A-Wish donation generating department in the country the past two years.
Anthony's Wish Reveal, granting his wish for a pool, took place at a New Haven football game during the 2022 season. The event included an unforgettable day as an honorary member of the team and a halftime presentation that included a special message of support from former New York Giant and two-time Super Bowl Champion Chris Snee.
In both of the Chargers previous stints as a finalist for the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence, they were named as the second runner-up. In 2015, New Haven was recognized for its 'Class at the Court' initiative where the New Haven women's basketball team worked with West Haven fifth graders on a year-long initiative that culminated with a daylong event on the University's main campus and a women's basketball game to follow.
In 2017, the Chargers were recognized for Connor's Wish where the New Haven Student-Athlete Advisory Committee presented a local youth, Connor, with his wish for a cruise during the football team's spring game. The "Blue Turf" of DellaCamera Stadium was laid out with the various destinations of his cruise while he "cruised" around the field on an outfitted golf cart, made up to look like a cruise ship.
-Release provided by New Haven athletic communications-
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 13 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.
