The NCAA Elite 90 Award: Recognizing Excellence in Academics and Athletics
The NCAA Elite 90 award stands as a testament to the dedication and hard work of student-athletes who excel both in their chosen sport and in the classroom. This prestigious accolade is presented to the athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's 90 championships. It honors those individuals who have reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level while maintaining exceptional academic standards.
Criteria for Eligibility
To be eligible for the Elite 90 award, student-athletes must meet specific criteria:
- They must be academically classified as sophomores or above.
- They must have participated in their sport for a minimum of two years at their institution.
- They must be present and actively participating at the NCAA Championship finals site.
The award is presented at the championship banquet or an equivalent ceremony, celebrating the student-athlete's commitment to both athletics and academics.
Examples of Elite 90 Award Winners
Several student-athletes have recently been recognized with the Elite 90 award, demonstrating the diverse range of sports and academic disciplines represented.
Aidan Tran (Georgia Tech, Men's Golf): Tran, a junior golfer, earned the award for men's golf after graduating with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in just three years, maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. He was also named to the Atlantic Coast Conference All-Academic Golf Team in 2024. On the course, Tran has played in eight of the Yellow Jackets’ 12 events in 2024-25, with a high finish of 22nd at the Watersound Invitational in February. He has a 73.59 stroke average across 22 rounds. Last year, Tran played three rounds of stroke play to help Tech finish eighth and advance to match play for the second straight year, and won his individual match to help the Jackets defeat top-seeded Illinois in the quarterfinals of match play.
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Sára Karasová (University of Alaska Fairbanks, Rifle): Karasová, majoring in security and disaster management, received the Elite 90 award for the 2025 NCAA NC Rifle Championship. She maintains a 3.9 GPA. According to head rifle coach Will Anti, Karasová is the embodiment of the perfect student-athlete, unflinching in her responsibilities as a student and as a member of the team. She has been a pillar of stability for the team for four years on the range and in the classroom. Karasová earned the sixth Elite 90 award in Alaska Nanooks history.
Logan Garnica (Utah State University, Cross Country): Garnica, majoring in human development and family studies, holds a 4.0 GPA. He joins his teammate Camren Todd, who won the Elite 90 Award in 2020 and 2022, as the only Utah State athletes to ever win the award. USU has now claimed the award in each of their last three appearances at the NCAA Championships and is the first Division I cross country program, men’s or women’s, in the Elite 90’s 16-year history to win the award three times. Artie Gulden, USU’s director of track & field and cross country, stated that Logan is a phenomenal student and athlete.
Brandon Rogers (Stevens Institute of Technology, Men's Volleyball): Rogers, a mechanical engineering major, has earned a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade-point average. On the court, Rogers set down 24 kills on 64 swings with a .234 hitting percentage. The opposite hitter appeared in 17 matches and totaled three aces, seven blocks and 13 digs. He becomes the eighth student-athlete in school history to earn one the NCAA's highest honors. Rogers is the fourth Stevens men's volleyball player to earn the award, joining alumni Alexander Carpenter (two-time winner in 2015 and 2016), Nick Sunderland (2018) and Andrew Amerman, who was the last Duck to receive the award in 2019. Head coach Dan Buehring stated that Brandon's work ethic, commitment to his academics, personal growth and the team's goals is exceptional. He also added that this honor is reflective of not just his brilliance and character, but also the team's commitment and culture around excellence in all that they do, and that he can't think of a more deserving candidate who reflects the team's values and their own extraordinary nature.
Alex Andersen (University of Florida, Men's Basketball): Andersen graduated in 2024 with a 3.98 GPA in Industrial and Systems Engineering, and is currently in the Master of Science in Management program. The Tampa, Fla., native has scored a pair of memorable baskets in the 2025 postseason. In the SEC Tournament semifinal, Andersen's driving score vs. Alabama gave Florida the SEC Tournament's scoring record in the 104-82 win. He added another in the Sweet 16 vs. Andersen has also been honored this season as a member of the 2025 Southeastern Conference Men's Basketball Community Service Team.
The Significance of the Elite 90 Award
The Elite 90 award serves as an important recognition of the dedication and balance required to succeed at the highest levels of both collegiate athletics and academics. It highlights the commitment of student-athletes to achieving excellence in all areas of their lives, and inspires others to strive for similar success. The award also brings prestige to the institutions that these student-athletes represent, showcasing their commitment to fostering well-rounded individuals.
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