St. Ambrose second in NAIA with 66 winter sport NAIA Scholar-Athletes

Posted: Feb 26, 2026

St. Ambrose second in NAIA with 66 winter sport NAIA Scholar-Athletes

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) each announced academic awards for winter sports.

The NAIA released its 2025-26 Scholar-Athlete list. St. Ambrose was second in the country with 66 student-athletes earning the mark. The group includes basketball, competitive cheer, competitive dance, swimming & diving and wrestling.

To qualify as an NAIA Scholar-Athlete, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, appear on the eligibility certificate for their sport, and have attended their institution for at least one full year.

The CCAC released its Men's and Women's Basketball All-Academic Teams. SAU and Viterbo tied for the top spot on the men's side, each placing 10 on the team. The St. Ambrose women had eight make the list.

To be nominated for the CCAC All-Academic Team, student-athletes must have been enrolled at their respective CCAC school for a minimum of one academic year, have completed at least 30 semester hours and boast no less than a 3.25 cumulative grade point average.

Below are the St. Ambrose student-athletes named NAIA Scholar-Athletes and/or to the CCAC all-academic basketball teams. Conference academic awards for Cheer, Dance, Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving, and Men's Wrestling will be announced in the spring.

Men's Basketball - CCAC release | NAIA release

Ignacio Dacunda
Kieran Farrell
Nikos Gerokostas
Nolan Sexton
Jimmy Starkey
Will Sullivan
Denver Trainor (CCAC)
Ethan Turney (CCAC)
Collin Wainscott
Zane Witt