The New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) has recognized 24 student-athletes from LIU for the 2025-26 All-Academic Team, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA. Among them, six Sharks, including Grace Babington and Emma M枚rtl, achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA, earning them the title of 2026 Student-Athletes of the Year. All six seniors from the program are honored for their academic achievements over four years. This recognition highlights both individual and team commitment to excellence in academics alongside athletics.

By the Numbers
  • 24 student-athletes from LIU named to the 2025-26 All-Academic Team.
  • 6 individuals maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA to be named Student-Athletes of the Year.
Yes, But

While the accolade reflects the athletes' academic success, maintaining such high GPAs amid rigorous athletic commitments raises questions about balancing academics and sports for students across the board.

State of Play
  • NEWHA's All-Academic Team continues to promote academic excellence among athletes in women's hockey.
  • LIU鈥檚 athletes demonstrate a strong trend in achieving high GPAs, indicating a focus on academics within the program.
What's Next

Looking ahead, LIU's student-athletes will aim to sustain their academic achievements, while the program may continue to emphasize the importance of balancing sports and studies. Future recruitment efforts could focus on attracting students who excel both academically and athletically.

Bottom Line

LIU's performance in the NEWHA highlights the potential for student-athletes to excel academically, setting a standard that showcases the importance of education within collegiate athletics.