39 Claflin Student-Athletes Earn D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award
Terica Peay
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Claflin University Athletics is proud to announce that 39 student-athletes have earned the Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) Academic Achievement Award for outstanding classroom accomplishments.
The award recognizes student-athletes who have demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence while balancing the demands of competing at the collegiate level. Overall, 21,000-plus student-athletes from 179 institutions were recognized for the 2025-26 Academic Achievement Awards. Historically, 211,256 total student-athletes have been recognized since the inception of the
awards program.
To be eligible for the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award, a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, complete a minimum of two years, or four semesters, of college-level coursework at a two-year and/or four-year institution, and be an active member of an intercollegiate team during their most recent academic year.
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) honored 930 student-athletes, including 39 from Claflin University, highlighting the Panthers' commitment to excellence on and off the field.
"Congratulations to our 39 student-athletes on this well-deserved recognition," said
Tony O'Neal, Claflin Director of Athletics. "Their academic success reflects their discipline and commitment while competing for Claflin. We are proud of their achievements and the example they set for the community."
Balancing athletics and academics at the collegiate level requires significant time management and dedication. The D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award recognizes student-athletes who have made academic achievement a priority throughout their collegiate careers.
For Claflin Athletics, the recognition reflects the department's broader commitment to developing student-athletes who are prepared to succeed in the classroom, in competition, and beyond graduation.
The D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award is presented annually and recognizes the academic accomplishments of student-athletes across NCAA Division II institutions.
39 Claflin Student-Athletes Recognized
Donte Hickman
Braylon Jackson
Hunter Johnson
Braylon Maddox
Justin Mims
Cristian Sanon
Alexia Grant
Tacoya Heyward
Emaree Hinton
Mia Lewis
Ariel Lucas
Zhaire Mack
Olivia Randolph
Jakarriez Sanders
Ivan Taylor
Pheijana Burnside
Desmond McDonald
Romar Stapleton
Michael Thomas
Obiageli Akubude
Latrice Brown
Pheijana Burnside
Morgan Coverson-Springs
Zhaire Mack
Marlayna McBride
Damya Scott
Mya Sumter
A'Mayia White
Cydney Cooper
Michaela Cromarty
Katelynn Grissom
Aniyah Jackson
Sydra Pendelton
Jordan Tolan
Jeniah Williams
Siri Davis
Kaitlin Ham
Laila Ham
About D2 ADA:
The D2 ADA is the first organization of its kind to provide educational and networking opportunities; enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics; and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of Division II athletics directors. For more information about the D2 ADA, please visit www.div2ada.com. The D2 ADA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 62nd year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.
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About Claflin University Athletics
Claflin University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II institution that sponsors 13 intercollegiate sports. The university's athletic program includes volleyball; Flag football; men's and women's cross country; men's and women's basketball; softball; men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field; and baseball. Claflin's teams compete primarily in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), while the baseball program competes in the Peach Belt Conference.
