INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Division II has named 26 schools and one conference as finalists for the 2026 Award of Excellence. This award highlights initiatives that exemplify the Division II philosophy of community engagement and student-athlete leadership. 
 
Roberts Wesleyan has been selected as the East Coast Conference finalist while D’Youville has earned an at-large nod. 
 
The overall finalists were chosen by a committee of athletics administrators and the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, with the SAAC members ultimately selecting the top three finalists. Those honorees, including the winner, will be announced at the Division II business session this month at the 2026 NCAA Convention in the Washington, D.C., area.
 
Each finalist will receive $750. The winner will receive $3,000, with the second-place finisher getting $1,750 and the third-place finisher awarded $1,500. All prize money is intended to be used for future SAAC programming or community engagement events.
 
No stranger to this award, Roberts Wesleyan has won the Award of Excellence a record-breaking three times in its 12-year history, in 2021, 2024, and, most recently, 2025. 
 
Roberts Wesleyan (Redhawks Reachout, Mental Health) prioritized mental health through partnerships with Morgan’s Message, The Hidden Opponent, and the University Wellness Center. Programs included mental health screenings, goat yoga, and advocacy campaigns like Smash the Stigma alongside awareness games hosted by the volleyball and field hockey teams. Over 300 engagement hours from student-athletes supported these efforts, complemented by fundraising and volunteer work for the Pirate Toy Fund, saving $10,000 in labor costs and collecting thousands of toys for local children. 
 
D’Youville (Saints in Service Building Community Through Action) saw its student-athletes contribute over 250 hours to build a playground on Buffalo’s west side in partnership with the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy. Their efforts addressed critical needs in an underserved neighborhood, creating a safe, inclusive space for families and children. 
 
For more information, please visit the NCAA's release.