Two Conference Carolinas Institutions Named Finalists for Prestigious NCAA Division II Award of Excellence
INDIANAPOLIS – Lees-McRae and UNC Pembroke were both selected as finalists for the prestigious 2024 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.
“This honor for both Lees-McRae and UNC Pembroke is another fantastic showcase that highlights the types of institutions we have in Conference Carolinas,” Commissioner Chris Colvin said. “It’s always our goal in Conference Carolinas to help our member institutions fulfil their missions and to help them build champions in body, mind and soul. Both of these first-class institutions always go above and beyond in all areas, and we are truly thankful to see them recognized for their efforts in this way.”
Twenty-five schools and two conferences have been named finalists for the 2024 Division II Award of Excellence, which is an accolade that recognizes initiatives in the past year that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement and student-athlete leadership. Eight finalists were picked as at-large honorees for submitting a strong nomination that was not chosen as the finalist for their conference.
Lees-McRae is the official Conference Carolinas finalist through their efforts of their spectacular “Splash” program. In a partnership with a local YMCA, the Lees-McRae men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams put together “Splash,” which is a free program that provides swim lessons to all kindergarten and second grade students in their county. Their tremendous efforts impact approximately 320 children each year. Lees-McRae has now been honored as an Award of Excellence finalist in three of the last seven years.
UNC Pembroke was chosen as an at-large finalist for its “American Indian Heritage Football Game.” The only four-year institution in the U.S. founded by American Indians, UNC Pembroke hosted a football game that generated thousands of additional attendees, honored its historic culture, extended youth ticket opportunities to a number of organizations and much more.
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 (SAAC) selected the top three finalists, who will be announced at the Division II business session on Jan. 13 at the 2024 NCAA Convention in Phoenix.
Each finalist will receive $500. In addition, the winner will receive $2,500, the first runner-up will receive $1,250 and the second runner-up will receive $1,000. All prize money is intended to be used for future SAAC initiatives or community engagement events.
To see the full listing of finalists and learn more, please visit
here.
This is Conference Carolinas
Conference Carolinas has a rich tradition in roots that dates back to its inception on Dec. 6, 1930. The NCAA Division II athletics conference presently has member schools located in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Member institutions for the 2023-24 academic year are Barton, Belmont Abbey, Chowan, Converse, Emmanuel, Erskine, Francis Marion, King, Lees-McRae, Mount Olive, UNC Pembroke, North Greenville, Southern Wesleyan and Young Harris.
Conference Carolinas believes in the development and formation of the whole person in body, mind and soul. Our students are nationally recognized for their extraordinary success in the classroom, in the community and at the highest levels of NCAA competition. Conference Carolinas is a sole sponsor of 24 sports and also collaborates with two other conferences (South Atlantic Conference and Great Midwest Athletic Conference) to offer opportunities in four additional sports for a total of 28 in the 2024-25 academic year. Conference Carolinas will be a sole sponsor of 25 sports and offer opportunities for a total of 29 sports with the official addition of football in the 2025-26 academic year.
The ability to provide its membership sports sponsorship in 29 sports is the most in all of NCAA Division II. In addition, Conference Carolinas also provides championship opportunities for its member institutions in esports and spirit. This is all in addition to hosting developmental championships in various sports for its member institutions. Conference Carolinas is believed to be the first NCAA conference to offer sub-varsity championships to its members.
To learn more about Conference Carolinas, please visit
ConferenceCarolinas.com.