MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Auburn University at Montgomery has been named one of 28 finalists for the 2021 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence. It was announced on Tuesday (Jan. 5).
 
In total, Twenty-eight schools and one conference have been named finalists for the 2021 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. One finalist was chosen from each of the division's 23 conferences. 
 
AUM's 2019-20 community engagement activity was highlighted by hosting the 2020 Alabama Special Olympics Basketball State Championship on March 6, 2020 from the AUM Gymnasium. The half-day championship event featured a tournament between the top four teams in the state and over 40 Special Olympic athletes. 
 
Athletics department staff and women's basketball student-athletes ran the scorer's table and in-game announcing for the event. Student-athletes from seven teams attended the event to provide an engaging fan atmosphere for the participants, which included over 100 AUM student-athletes, coaches and staff for a total of 302 hours of service. 
 
The participating AUM teams included: women's basketball, men's basketball, men's cross country, women's cross country, men's soccer, women's soccer, and volleyball. During team introductions, athletes ran through a fan tunnel of AUM student-athletes and who also served as their cheering section in-game. 
 
Following each game, Special Olympics athletes were celebrated by their cheering section of for a game well played at their bench area. At the conclusion of the state championship tournament, AUM student-athletes presented awards to participants and champions in a trophy ceremony.
 
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 selects the winner, who will be announced at the Division II business session Jan. 15 at the virtual 2021 NCAA Convention.
 
Each finalist will receive $500. The winner will receive an additional $2,500, while the runner-up will receive $1,250 and third place will receive $1,000. All prize money is intended for future SAAC initiatives or community engagement events.
 
A full list of all schools name finalists can be found on the official NCAA Release.
 
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