NDSU has created two presidential awards to recognize athletic teams that excel academically.

The Presidential Academic Team Award is for the highest team grade-point average, while the Presidential Most Improved Academic Team Award is for the most improved team GPA for the calendar year. The first teams to earn these honors will be announced in spring 2012.

“NDSU has achieved athletic success and national visibility, and we have done that without losing our focus on the student aspect of athletics,” said NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani. “Entire teams, not just individuals, are achieving academic excellence. The new awards recognize the commitment it takes to win in the classroom and in athletic competitions.”

More than half of NDSU student athletes have a 3.0 GPA or higher and 15 have 4.0 GPAs. “I have worked with four Division I athletic programs, three of which were some of the largest and most renown in nation,” Bresciani said. “I assure you that our student athletes’ academic statistics are truly fantastic. Our student athletes are among the most successful in the NCAA.”

Teams that win the new academic awards will be invited to a dinner at the president’s house and have their team’s name engraved on a plaque maintained by the university.