LEXINGTON, Ky. -- John Brown University volleyball was one of 1,432 teams to earn the 2026 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award, the organization announced Thursday (July 23).
Thursday's announcement marks the 15th consecutive season the Golden Eagles have earned the award.
"Our student-athletes work incredibly hard in the classroom, and I am extremely proud of their efforts and results," said head coach Ken Carver. "Earning this award each year is our academic 'Super Bowl.' Having earned this award a remarkable 15 straight years, our program has established an academic legacy which our student-athletes take pride in continuing each year. Our student-athletes have consistently demonstrated that you can be both an outstanding athlete on the court and in the classroom if you properly apply yourself."
The award is given annually to collegiate and high school volleyball teams that maintain a year-long grade-point average of at least 3.30 on a 4.00 scale, covering both semesters or all quarters of the academic year. During the 2025-26 academic year, the Golden Eagles posted a 3.57 cumulative team GPA, tied for the second-highest mark in program history since 2014. Nine student-athletes posted individual GPAs of at least 3.60, and four earned perfect 4.00 GPAs.
"It comes as no surprise to see our sport have more than 1,400 teams earn the AVCA Team Academic Award again this season," said AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon. "We are grateful for the dedication of the coaches and players who make both classroom and on-court success the lifeblood of their programs."
The Blue and Gold are one of five teams in the Sooner Athletic Conference to be recognized with this year's award.
"The achievement in the classroom is also a reflection of the exceptional teaching and support they receive from our faculty and staff," Carver added. "We are blessed to have people who invest so much in our students. Congratulations to all of our student-athletes on earning this academic honor yet again."
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