#Student-Athletes #Florida Southern College #D2 ADA

Florida Southern College Sets New Academic Record

Florida Southern College has made headlines by achieving an impressive milestone: a record 241 of its student-athletes have been honored by the Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) for their academic accomplishments in the recently concluded 2024-25 academic year. This remarkable achievement ranks fourth in total recognition within all of Division II, reflecting the dedication and hard work of these student-athletes.

Drew Howard, the director of athletics and dean of wellness at Florida Southern College, expressed his pride in the institution's student-athletes, highlighting the extraordinary balance they maintain between their athletic and academic responsibilities. "Being a student-athlete requires extraordinary dedication and hard work to excel in both athletics and academics," Howard stated. "We are proud to have some of the best student-athletes in the country, and it is always a privilege to see their achievements recognized. Our student-athletes earn every success through their commitment and determination, and they are lifted up by the incredible support of the Florida Southern community."

The 2024-25 Academic Achievement Awards mark the 18th year of this prestigious program, which acknowledges the academic successes of student-athletes participating in NCAA-sponsored sports at the Division II level. For the first time in its history, the awards have recognized over 20,000 student-athletes, with a total of 22,756 recipients hailing from an unprecedented 202 institutions. These numbers signify the highest achievements in the program's history, with a total of 190,032 student-athletes acknowledged since its inception.

In celebrating this record-breaking year, Traci Murphy, the vice president for athletics at Daemen University and the current D2 ADA president, emphasized the significance of this accomplishment: "Since its inception, this program has been dedicated to celebrating the exceptional student-athletes who define excellence across our Division II landscape. This year, we are thrilled to recognize a record number of deserving individuals, reflecting the unprecedented dedication within our division—not only in athletics but also in the classroom."

To be eligible for the Academic Achievement Award, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, complete a minimum of two years (four semesters) of college-level coursework, and remain active on an intercollegiate team during their last academic year. This rigorous criterion reinforces the caliber of Florida Southern College's athletic programs and its commitment to fostering academic excellence.

About Florida Southern College

Founded in 1883, Florida Southern College is the oldest private college in the state of Florida, boasting a long-standing tradition of academic excellence. The college offers over 70 undergraduate programs and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, nursing, and physical therapy. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 14:1, Florida Southern is a national leader in engaged learning.

In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Florida Southern College achieved notable recognition, ranking 11th among "Best Regional Universities in the South," 9th in the category of "Most Innovative Schools," and 20th for "Best Value Schools." The institution's commitment to quality education has also been recognized in The Princeton Review's 2026 guide and the