The CCIW recently announced its winter 2024-25 recipients of Academic All-Conference honors, and Augustana stood out once again. Tyler Leslie and McKenzie Reser earned the Jack Swartz Award, while the Vikings as a whole earned 110 Academic All-Conference selections, which is the second-most in the conference. 

Earning these achievements is a significant accomplishment. These honors showcase not only the work the student athletes put in on the field but also the hard work they put into their academics. Most athletes, like senior McKenzie Reser, have a strong support system around them to help them achieve their academic goals.

“My coaches let me sit in their office and do homework until practice starts,” Reser said. “They also support me academically by checking in and asking how we feel about classes. They remind us of campus resources we can utilize when we are struggling. My teammates are the biggest supporters because they take my mind off academics. so I can truly focus on practice and just enjoy being there.”

Having 110 Academic All-Conference selections shows how much the athletic department values academics. It proves they support student-athletes in succeeding both on the field and in the classroom.

This consistent success speaks volumes about Augustana’s culture of excellence and the high standards set for student-athletes. While the athletic department wants the players to succeed in their sport, athletic director Mike Zapolski also emphasizes the importance of excelling in the classroom while dedicating time to their sport and personal passions, creating a well-rounded college experience for the student-athletes.

“I always emphasize there are three priorities for a student when they’re attending Augustana College. Priority number one is academics,” Zapolski said. “That’s why they’re here to get their degree in four years and move on to full-time employment or to graduate school. Priority number two is their sport. Being a student athlete is the equivalent of a part-time job. There’s a time commitment, essentially year-round.”

The emphasis on academics and athletics doesn’t stop at just fulfilling those responsibilities. Augustana also encourages student-athletes to explore their other interests and passions, creating a well-balanced college experience while prioritizing their academics.

“Then, priority number three is anything and everything else that you want to do,” Zapolski said. “You can be involved and engaged in a lot of different things. We have many student athletes involved in Greek life, campus organizations, you name it, and then we have some that probably aren’t, because that’s not what they want to do. But to have that large number, I think it’s just a good reflection on the fact that our student athletes do take their academics seriously, and it’s nice that we have the opportunity to recognize them.”

Achieving both athletic and academic recognition shows what it means to be a true student-athlete at Augustana. For many, earning an academic award alongside athletic success is the ultimate goal, proving they can excel in both areas. 

Assistant Athletic Director Trevor Jossart sees the awards as a great source of motivation for student-athletes to excel in both academics and athletics. Knowing that their hard work is being recognized encourages them to maintain a high level of performance in both aspects of their college career.

“I think a lot of the academic awards you see throughout the year and a lot of the accolades you see, whether it’s Augustana or within the conference, or even nationwide, when it comes to Academic All-Americans, a lot of our student athletes strive to be a part of that list,” Jossart said. “It’s one thing to be named All-conference in volleyball or football or whatever sport, but to be Academic All-Conference or Academic All-American on top of that is just a bonus. That exemplifies the student athlete part of it all.”

The Augustana athletic department will continue to support the student-athletes as they strive to set high standards in achieving excellence on the field and in the classroom. These achievements will continue to highlight the amount of effort the student-athletes put into their academics.