The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) announced a record-breaking 219 teams from 20 schools have received the Team Academic All-GLVC award for maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher during the 2025-26 academic year. Drury University was recognized for having 16 teams honored, showcasing a commitment to academic excellence among its student-athletes. The highest GPA recorded was by Illinois Springfield's women's tennis team at 3.92, with several teams finishing strong behind them. This year's accolade underscores the competitive nature of academic performance across the conference.

By the Numbers
  • 219 teams from 20 schools received the Team Academic All-GLVC award.
  • Drury University had 16 teams recognized for academic excellence.
State of Play
  • The GLVC now recognizes a wider range of sports with academic accolades.
  • Illinois Springfield led the conference with the highest team GPA at 3.92.
What's Next

As the GLVC continues to prioritize academic achievement, teams will likely enhance their focus on maintaining high GPAs to secure future recognition. This trend may encourage student-athletes across member schools to balance athletics with academic performance.

Bottom Line

The record number of recognized teams highlights the GLVC's commitment to academic standards, emphasizing that success in sports can coexist with scholarly achievements. This initiative sets a motivational precedent for student-athletes to strive for excellence both in competition and in the classroom.