INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – West Virginia State's Athletics Department was named as one of 26 finalists for the 2025 Division II Award of Excellence by the NCAA on Tuesday. WVSU Athletics was recognized for their role in leading the Charleston Public Courts Tennis Tournament for the last three years. 

 

"We are very honored to be selected as a finalist for the 2025 Division II Award of Excellence," Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Nate Burton said. "Community engagement is a core pillar of WVSU Athletics and the Charleston Public Courts Tennis Tournament is a way for us to say 'thank you' to a community that supports our student-athletes and department."

 

The NCAA Division II honors members each year for conducting events that promote student-athletes giving back and serving as leaders within their communities or on their campuses. The Division II Award of Excellence recognizes initiatives over the past year that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement, and student-athlete leadership.

 

Twenty-two schools and four conferences nationwide were selected as finalists for the award. All finalists will receive a cash award that is intended to be used for future SAAC initiatives or community engagement events.

 

Established in 1959, The Charleston Public Courts Tournament was revived by the WVSU Athletics Department in 2021 after being put on hiatus by the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the tournament had 245 participants across 30 events with competitors ranging in age from 12 to 83. Through the Public Courts tournament, WVSU has reinforced its role as a cornerstone of community development and inclusivity, using sport to unite people from various backgrounds and ages.

 

The winner of the award will be announced on Jan. 17 at the 2025 NCAA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.