Arkansas Tech University has been selected to represent the Great American Conference as a finalist for the 2016 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.
According to a news release from the NCAA, the award recognizes events and activities that exemplify any of the six NCAA Division II attributes: learning, balance, resourcefulness, sportsmanship, passion and service.
Among the approximately 300 institutions that hold membership in NCAA Division II, only 22 institutions and three conferences were selected as finalists for the award.
Arkansas Tech earned the recognition based upon its “Fight On Against Childhood Hunger” campaign, an initiative centered on collecting and disseminating nutrition for food insecure youth in the Arkansas River Valley.
This marks the third consecutive year that Arkansas Tech has been selected as the finalist from the Great American Conference for the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.
“I am extremely proud of our athletes and coaches in receiving this honor,” said Steve Mullins, director of athletics, in a news release issued by the Arkansas Tech Department of Athletic Communications. “The Division II Award for Excellence is a great achievement for our programs for their continued involvement in our community.”
The national winner will receive a cash prize of $1,500 and a nationally-televised football or basketball game during the 2016-17 season. The first runner-up will receive a $1,250 cash prize and the second-runner-up will receive $1,000. Each finalist institution receives $500.
All financial awards from the program are earmarked for use toward future community engagement initiatives.
