A Season Defined by Scholarship
The Colorado College men's basketball team captured the National Association of Basketball Coaches' Team Academic Excellence Award for the 2025-26 season, a distinction reserved for programs that maintain a collective GPA of at least 3.0. This marks the 14th occasion the Tigers have received the honor, highlighting a long‑standing commitment to academic performance.
Head coach Jeff Conarroe praised the squad's resilience, noting that their success on the court was matched by achievements in the classroom. "Our players have shown that dedication in practice translates to excellence in the library and beyond," he said, emphasizing the program's dual focus on athletics and career preparation.
Five Tigers earned placement on the NABC Honors Court, a list that recognizes individual players who graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. Among them were recent alumni Asher Nofziger, Noah Deitch, Orion Samikoglu and Russell MacFarlane, alongside rising senior Ty Hendler, each of whom balanced rigorous academics with competitive play.
The academic accomplishments extend beyond the court. Recent graduates have secured positions in banking and AI sales, while one former player continues graduate studies at the Drucker School of Management. Another is pursuing a professional career in Spain, illustrating the program's ability to launch diverse career paths.
The broader impact of the award is evident in the numbers released by the NABC: over 2,300 players were named to the Honors Court and nearly 400 programs received the Team Academic Excellence Award for 2025-26. These figures reflect a growing emphasis on scholarly achievement across college basketball.