INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Roberts Wesleyan has won the NCAA 2024 Division II Award of Excellence, an accolade recognizing initiatives in the past year that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement and student-athlete leadership. Having also won the award in 2021, the Redhawks become the first two-time Award of Excellence winner in the 11-year history of the award.

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. The Redhawks were recognized as the grand prize winner during the Division II business session at the 2024 NCAA Convention in Phoenix, Ariz. on January 13. 

Roberts Wesleyan student-athletes selected the Ugandan Water Project as part of a yearlong initiative to build at least three water wells in Uganda to provide fresh water to communities in need. The Redhawks participated in multiple service opportunities throughout the year to bring awareness, provide service to, and raise more than $13,000 toward the Ugandan Water Project.

This year, 54 entires were submitted that exemplify the Division II philosophy, identity, community engagement, and student-athlete leadership initiatives with a total of 25 institutions and two conferences recognized for their creativity in advancing relationships within their communities. Roberts Wesleyan receives a banner to display to celebrate this achievement as well as $2,500 intended to be used for future SAAC initiatives or other events to further support engagement on campus and in the community.

Read the NCAA's full release here.