OFFICIAL NCAA.ORG RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS -- Auburn University at Montgomery was named a national finalist for the 2024 Division II Award of Excellence, a prestigious accolade recognizing initiatives in the past year that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement, and student-athlete leadership.
The Warhawks were one of two Gulf South Conference institutions to be represented as finalists.
"We are thrilled to have two members represented and congratulate both UAH and AUM for this great honor," said GSC Commissioner Matt Wilson. "Having our institutions recognized exemplifies their respective dedication to positively impact their local communities, which is a core pillar of the GSC's mission."
The NCAA announced 25 schools and two conferences as finalists, which was comprised of eight at-large sections and one representative from most of the 23 Division II conferences. This is the second time both GSC schools have been recognized - UAH in 2022 and AUM in 2021 - and the first time that the Gulf South Conference has had two finalists in a given year.
Each finalist receives a $500 prize. In addition, the overall 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 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) initiatives or community engagement events.
Earning an at-large selection was Auburn Montgomery and their "Serving Hope, Changing Lives" campaign. AUM partnered with Dream Court, a local nonprofit organization that provides adaptive tennis programs for individuals with physical, developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. Since the partnership began in December 2022, student-athletes have volunteered more than 225 hours toward the organization's mission.
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.
PAST FINALISTS & WINNERS FROM GSC
2014: Christian Brothers, "CBU Deckhands"
2015: Shorter, "Caring is Never a Challenge"
2016: Lee, "Volley for a Cure: Real Heroes Wear Pink" *
2017: North Alabama, "Connect1"
2019: Montevallo, "Halloween Spooktacular"
2021: Auburn Montgomery, "Special Olympics Basketball State Championship"
2022: Alabama Huntsville, "Junior Chargers Bedtime Stories"
*winner in italics
About Gulf South Conference:
The Gulf South Conference is a charter NCAA Division II member based in Birmingham, Ala., and has 13 member institutions - Alabama Huntsville, Auburn Montgomery, Christian Brothers, Delta State, Lee, Mississippi College, Montevallo, Shorter, Union, Valdosta State, West Alabama, West Florida, and West Georgia. The GSC proudly sponsors 19 sports and hosts 18 annual championship events.
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