Drake University’s volleyball program has been honored with the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award for the 2025‑26 academic year, a distinction that highlights the Bulldogs’ commitment to scholarly excellence alongside athletic achievement.
Award Criteria and National Recognition
The award, which celebrates teams that sustain a minimum collective grade point average of 3.30, placed Drake among a distinguished group of 1,432 programs across the country that met the rigorous standard.
Within the Missouri Valley Conference, the Bulldogs were one of only nine institutions to receive the accolade, underscoring the conference’s growing emphasis on academic integrity.
A Culture of Excellence
Coach and the athletic department attributed the success to a culture that values both performance on the court and in the classroom, noting that the recognition reflects the hard work of student‑athletes, coaches, and academic support staff.
The AVCA’s academic award has become a benchmark for collegiate programs seeking to balance competitive success with educational attainment, and Drake’s inclusion signals its alignment with that national priority.
The Bulldogs’ achievement also resonates beyond the court, offering a model for other teams striving to meet high academic benchmarks while competing at the highest level of collegiate volleyball.