SMSU Athletics Named Finalist for NCAA Award of Excellence

INDIANAPOLIS – The Southwest Minnesota State University Athletics Department on Tuesday was one of 22 institutions and four conferences to be named finalists for the 2025 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence. The award recognizes initiatives in the past year that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement and student-athlete leadership. SMSU was named the 2024-25 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference winner for its ‘Mustang Game Day Roundup’ prior to SMSU home football games this past fall.

For the second straight year, SMSU has hosted the community-focused pregame event that includes inflatables for kids, food trucks, a live DJ, vendor tents and tailgating. It has enhanced relationships with local businesses and the community, creating an atmosphere that encourages Mustangs of all ages to be on campus for home football Saturdays. “We are honored to be named a finalist for the Award of Excellence!” said Jen Flowers, SMSU Director of Athletics. “Game Day Roundup has been an exciting initiative for our department and our community. We appreciate all the fans, businesses, students, families, and SMSU supporters who have made Game Day Roundup a success, and we look forward to growing the event in the years to come.”

This is the ninth time SMSU has been named the NSIC winner and a finalist for the Division II Award of Excellence. The department was selected three times for the annual ‘Ag Bowl’ (2007-08, 2008-09, 2012-13), twice for ‘Smokefest’ (2010-11, 2011-12) and once each for the ‘Mustang Mail’ program (2014-15), ‘HyVee KidsFit’ initiative (2018-19), and the ‘Health Care and Emergency Personnel Appreciation Game’ (2021-22).

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 selected the top three finalists, who will be announced at the Division II business session on Jan. 17 at the 2025 NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Each finalist will receive $750. In addition, the winner will receive $3,000, the first runner-up will receive $1,750 and the second runner-up will receive $1,500. All prize money is intended to be used for future SAAC initiatives or community engagement events.