A record 780 student-athletes from the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) have been awarded the Brother James Gaffney Distinguished Scholar Award for achieving a 4.0 GPA in the 2025-26 academic year. This figure represents a 14% increase from last year's total of 684 honorees and is the highest since the award's inception in 2016-17. McKendree University contributed 45 of these scholars, tying the school's record set in the 2019-20 year.

By the Numbers
  • 780 total GLVC Distinguished Scholars for 2025-26, a 14% increase from 684 last year.
  • McKendree had 45 recipients, matching their previous high from 2019-20.
State of Play
  • This year's GLVC award underscores a strong academic performance among student-athletes across the conference.
  • It's the fourth consecutive year that over 500 student-athletes have received this recognition.
What's Next

The focus will likely shift to maintaining these academic standards and potentially increasing the number of honorees in future academic years as programs continue to emphasize academic excellence alongside athletics.

Bottom Line

This accomplishment highlights the significant academic achievements of McKendree鈥檚 student-athletes and sets a benchmark for future scholars to aspire to within the conference.