Thomas More University in Crestview Hills earned 142 national academic awards for student-athletes, the Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) announced Aug. 26.

The total ranked Thomas More third in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), behind Tiffin University with 297 honorees and Ashland University with 197.

To qualify, student-athletes must carry a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, have completed at least two years of college coursework and have been active on an intercollegiate team during the 2025-26 academic year.

Thomas More's 142 honorees came from 24 sports, including baseball, football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, tennis, cross country, track and field, golf, bowling, softball and wrestling. Women's soccer led with 17 honorees, and women's volleyball had 11 players recognized.

One athlete stood out.

Noah Francis earned the award in three separate sports: men's cross country, men's indoor track and men's outdoor track and field.

"We're proud to recognize more than 21,000 deserving student-athletes from 179 institutions, reflecting the tremendous dedication within our division — not only in athletics, but in the classroom as well," said Jenn Bell, D2 ADA president and associate vice president and director of athletics at Converse University.

Nationally, more than 21,000 student-athletes from 179 institutions earned the award in the program's 19th year. The G-MAC's 1,210 total honorees made it one of nine conferences with more than 1,000 recipients.

The academic recognition caps a strong year for Thomas More athletics off the field. The baseball team earned the American Baseball Coaches Association Team Academic Excellence Award in July. The women's soccer team, coached by Marquis Walker, earned the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award with a 3.43 team GPA.

Thomas More President Joseph L. Chillo was also appointed to the NCAA Division II Academic Requirements Committee, with a four-year term beginning Sept. 1.

Upcoming in the community:

  • Crestview Hills city-wide garage sale, Saturday, Sept. 12