Emporia State University’s baseball program has once again been celebrated for academic excellence, as the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) announced a slate of honors that recognize both performance on the field and scholarship in the classroom.
Scholar‑Athlete Criteria
To earn the distinction of Scholar‑Athlete, a player must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50 while also being selected to an All‑MIAA team, a standard that underscores the conference’s commitment to balancing athletics and academics.
This season, two Hornets — senior right‑hander Grant Huffman and sophomore second baseman Logan Myers — joined the exclusive list of Scholar‑Athletes, highlighting their dual contributions to the team’s success and their academic standing.
Huffman, who posted a 2.10 earned run average and a 0.96 WHIP while appearing primarily as a reliever, earned First‑Team All‑MIAA honors at the relief pitcher position. Myers, meanwhile, batted .408 and was a unanimous First‑Team selection at second base, a testament to his offensive impact.
Academic Excellence Award
Gus Keller, a senior business major, received the conference’s Academic Excellence Award, an honor reserved for those who achieve a perfect 4.00 GPA. Keller’s academic record complements his role on the roster, illustrating the diverse ways student‑athletes can excel.
Honor Roll Recognition
Beyond the individual awards, the MIAA also named 20 returners to the Academic Honor Roll, a designation that requires a minimum 3.00 GPA and at least two terms of enrollment. This cohort reflects the program’s depth of scholarly talent.
The upcoming Newcomer Academic Awards, slated for release later this month, will continue to spotlight fresh talent that brings both athletic promise and high academic standards to the league.
The recognitions not only celebrate the achievements of these student‑athletes but also reinforce Emporia State’s broader mission of developing well‑rounded leaders. As the program looks ahead, the blend of competitive drive and academic rigor remains a defining characteristic of its baseball culture.