CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) revealed earlier this week that 264 ESU student-athletes were recipients of the D2 Academic Achievement Award, leading the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) for the second consecutive year and placing sixth in Division II.
 
ESU increased its number of honorees from 242 in 2024-25 by 22 this past year, finishing as one of the 15 institutions to have over 200 recipients. The Warriors helped the PSAC lead Division II with the most student-athletes honored, accounting for 1,937 of the total.
 
"In year 19, this program continues its dedication to celebrating the exceptional student-athletes who define excellence across our Division II landscape," Jenn Bell, Associate VP and Director of Athletics at Converse University and current D2 ADA President, said. "We're proud to recognize more than 21,000 deserving student-athletes from 179 institutions, reflecting the tremendous dedication within our division — not only in athletics, but in the classroom as well. This year's submissions, from both individuals and schools, serve as a testament to the Division II way. Thanks to the administrators who nominated these outstanding individuals, and much-deserved congratulations to all this year's recipients."
 
The D2 ADA recognized over 21,000 student-athletes from 179 institutions for their academic performance in 2025-26, bringing the all-time total to 211,256. To qualify, the athletic director of a student-athlete's institution must be a dues-paying member of the D2 ADA, and the student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, have attended a minimum of two years (four semesters) of college-level work, and have been an active member of an intercollegiate team during their last academic year.
 
Below are breakdowns of student-athletes by conference and by PSAC member institutions.

Conference-by-Conference Breakdown

Conference	# of Total Nominees
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)	1,969
South Atlantic Conference (SAC)	1,594
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC)	1,428
Conference Carolinas (CC)	1,396
Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA)	1,254
Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC)	1,210
Pacific West Conference (PWC)	1,186
Sunshine State Conference (SSC)	1,119
Northeast 10  Conference (NE-10)	1,060

PSAC Breakdown

Institution	# of Total Nominees
East Stroudsburg	264
Slippery Rock	257
Gannon	207
Bloomsburg	195
West Chester	185
Shippensburg	146
Kutztown	132
California (Pa.)	125
Lock Haven	111
Clarion	94
Edinboro	90
Shepherd	65
Pitt-Johnstown	55
Mansfield	43

 
About D2 ADA: The D2 ADA is the first organization of its kind to provide educational and networking opportunities; enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics; and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of Division II athletics directors. For more information about the D2 ADA, please visit www.div2ada.com. The D2 ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 62nd year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.