NAIA Awards

SPORT-SPECIFIC AWARDS FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES, TEAMS

All-America Awards
All-America awards are annually bestowed on the most outstanding athletes in the various sports in which the program is active. Those selected for All-Conference awards are considered; selection criteria is implemented by each sport.
CONTACT: Austin Bennett

All-Conference Awards
Each conference is entitled to select an all-conference team based on individul and team performance, statistics and character. Awards are nominated by conference commissioners and/or sport chairs.

All-Tournament/Outstanding Athlete Award
All-Tournament teams are selected at most national championship events. Size and makeup of the team is determined by the sport. An outstanding athlete/performer may be selected based on athletic skill during the championships and typically includes a vote of the media and/or participating coaches and/or tournament committee members present at the event.

Player of the Week Awards
The NAIA National Player of the Week is selected from a pool of conference players of the week. Criteria for selection includes statistics/results, team success, various records (school, conference, national) broken and level of competition. Sports information representatives from each conference nominate players for the national award and a voting panel of sports information directors from various conferences selects the winner.
CONTACT: Brad Cygan

 
NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athlete Program
The Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete programs recognize excellence in the classroom by NAIA-member student-athletes who are sophomores or above in academic standing with a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Students must appear on the eligibility certificate for the sport and have attended one full year as a non-transfer or one full year as a transfer. The awards are given annually to outstanding student-athletes in the various sports in which the program is active and their respective teams are eligible for NAIA postseason competition.

Deadline for all sports are Sept. 30 (Fall Sports) Jan. 31 (Winter Sports), April 15 (Spring Sports)
Questions & Recources CLICK HERE | CONTACT: Katie Green

NAIA Scholar Team Award
The NAIA Scholar Team Award recognizes excellence in the classroom by NAIA teams. Team GPA requirements include:

1. Minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the nominating institution.
2. Include every varsity athlete certified as eligible in this sport and listed on any eligibility certificate submitted to conference/CAC (Independent)/unaffiliated grouping eligibility chairs during this academic year.
3. Will be calculated using the institution's normal GPA rules regarding repeated courses, transfer credit, etc. Sum the total quality points/GPA points earned by all team members and divide by the sum of the total GPA hours earned by the team members.
4. Fall and spring grades from the current year are to be used when calculating the team GPA.

Deadline for all sports is June 30, 2023
SCHOLAR TEAM NOMINATION | CONTACT: Katie Green

STUDENT-ATHLETE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Al Ortolani Scholarship Award
Named in honor of the late Al Ortolani, head athletic trainer at Pittsburg State University from 1955 to 1995, this $500 scholarship is awarded to NAIA students who are pursuing a degree in athletic training at a CAATE accredited institution.
NOMINATION FORM  | CONTACT: Austin Bennett

 
A. O. Duer Scholarship Award presented by Daktronics
Named in honor of the NAIA's former executive secretary who served the association for 26 years, this award has been annually presented since 1967 to a male and female junior student-athlete in any sport who has excelled in scholarship, character, and citizenship.
NOMINATION FORM  | CONTACT: Austin Bennett

Emil S. Liston Award presented by Daktronics
Named in honor of the NAIA's first executive secretary and the prime mover behind the men's basketball tournament, this award has been presented annually since 1950 to one junior men's and women's basketball player who has shown high athletic and scholastic achievement.
NOMINATION FORM  | CONTACT: Austin Bennett

DISTINGUISHED MEMBER AWARDS

Hall of Fame
Since it was founded in 1952, the NAIA Hall of Fame Award has been the highest honor presented by the Association. Honorees have demonstrated high moral character, fine leadership ability and must be held in high esteem by their colleagues, coaches and athletes. The Hall of Fame consists of a division for each sport currently or formerly sponsored by the Association and a division for general meritorious service to the NAIA. Each sport division is divided into three categories: athlete, coach and meritorious service.
NOMINATION FOR ATHLETE  |  NOMINATION FORM COACH  | NOMINATION FORM MERITORIOUS SERVICE  | CONTACT: Austin Bennett

Athletics Director of the Year
Each affiliated conference and the CAC (Independent) nominate one athletics administrator based on accomplishments during the previous year in the areas of athletics administration and service to the NAIA.
NOMINATION FORM  | CONTACT: Austin Bennett

Athletic Trainer of the Year
The award recognizes an NATA Certified Athletic Trainer at an NAIA institution who has distinguished themselves as a model of the profession of Athletic Training in personal conduct and professional allied health service to athletes.
NOMINATION FORM |  CONTACT: Chesney Sallee

Larry Lady Officiating Award
The award is presented annually to an official of any sport recognized by the NAIA. It is named in honor of Larry Lady, former NAIA Supervisor of Officials for basketball, football and baseball and recognizes persons of outstanding quality, high moral character, fine officiating ability and be held in high esteem by their colleagues, administrators and athletes.
NOMINATION FORM  | CONTACT: Austin Bennett

Charles Morris Administrator of the Year Award
This annual award is in memory and honor of past Associate Executive Director Charles Morris and recognizes a administrator engaged in all phases of NAIA athletics programs who exemplifies the loyalty and enthusiasm Charles Morris had for the NAIA. Nominees must be active as an administrator at a member institution or in conference/CAC (Independent) committee organizations. The award is given for both conference and national levels.
NOMINATION FORM  | CONTACT: Austin Bennett

National Coaches of the Year
The National Coaches of the Year are identified by the coaches association and are based on outstanding an coaching record for the year, being recognized, proven high principles and ethics in the performance of the coaching profession, a high degree of respect and goodwill achieved among her/his peers and a demonstrated devotion to NAIA principles and philosophies.

Clarence "Ike" Pearson Award
This award is presented annually to a member of the NAIA-Sports Information Directors Association (NAIA-SIDA) to honor outstanding contributions to the profession. The award commemorates the life and work of Clarence "Ike" Pearson, who served as the chief of statistical services for the men's basketball tournament for 29 consecutive years.
NOMINATION FORM  |  CONTACT: Brad Cygan

Wally Schwartz Faculty Athletics Representative of the Year Award
The award honors past Vice-President of Legislative Services, Wally Schwartz and is given to a Faculty Athletics Representative who exemplifies the loyalty, enthusiasm, and honesty that Wally Schwartz had, and still has, shown on behalf of the NAIA. The award is given at the conference, independent and national level.
NOMINATION FORM  | CONTACT: Austin Bennett

Sports Information Director of the Year Award
Each affiliated conference and the CAC (Independent) nominate one Sports Information Director based on accomplishments during the previous year in the areas of athletics communication, sports information, administration and service to the NAIA.
SUBMIT ONLINE | CONTACT: Brad Cygan

CHARACTER AWARDS

NAIA Coach of Character Award
This annual award is given to a head coach of an NAIA institution who has been outstanding in embracing the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character initiative, using methods of teaching character through sport, and in community leadership through volunteering or service.
NOMINATION FORM  | CONTACT: SAED@naia.org

Leroy Walker Character Award
This award was created to honor Dr. LeRoy Walker, a former president of the NAIA and President emeritus of the United States Olympic Committee. It recognizes a current student-athlete with at least a junior academic status who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, campus and community leadership embracing the five core character values of the NAIA Champions of Character initiative, athletic achievement and future ambition.
NOMINATION FORM  | CONTACT: SAED@naia.org

Conference Commissioner Association Champions of Character^® Team Award
This award honors one men's and one women's team for their exemplary character and sportsmanship on the field, on campus and in the community. This team demonstrates the core values of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship and Servant Leadership. Each conference can nominate one men's and one women's team which will be submitted by the conference office. One men's and one women's team will be selected to receive this award. If you are interested in nominating a team from your institution please contact your conference office. Nominations must be submitted to the national office by July 15.  
Conference office submitting your conference winner: Submit Form