Two From Conference Carolinas Named Finalists for Division II Award of Excellence
INDIANAPOLIS - Belmont Abbey and Converse were both named finalists for the 2021 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.
One finalist was chosen from each of the division’s 23 conferences. Six additional finalists were picked as at-large honorees for submitting a strong nomination that was not chosen as the finalist for their conference.
Belmont Abbey was selected as the finalist for Conference Carolinas, while Conference Carolinas' Converse was chosen as one of the six at-large representatives.
Belmont Abbey earned finalist honors for its Mr. Crusader Pageant where Student-Athlete Advisory Committee members planned, organized and produced the annual event. The pageant is Belmont Abbey’s largest fundraiser and community engagement event. The student-athletes in the pageant participate in a multitude of events and the audience votes for their favorite student-athlete by donating money to Make-A-Wish. Avery Wilson, a Make-A-Wish recipient who participates each year as a judge, was celebrated for beating cancer. The pageant broke the event’s previous fundraising record for Make-A-Wish donations. Check out this special video on Mr. Crusader HERE.
Converse was chosen as a finalist for its Virtual Nursing Home Visit Video. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals in nursing homes were unable to have visitors. In response to this, Converse student-athletes, coaches and administrators created a video to connect with residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The videos were shared with 25 nursing homes and impacted the lives of many residents. Learn more HERE.
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 selects the winner, who will be announced at the Division II business session Jan. 15 at the virtual 2021 NCAA Convention.
Each finalist will receive $500. The winner will receive an additional $2,500, while the runner-up will receive $1,250 and third place will receive $1,000. All prize money is intended for future SAAC initiatives or community engagement events.
To learn more and to see all of the finalists for the 2021 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence, please visit
HERE.