NAU Men's & Women's Basketball Earn NAIA National Scholar Awards
Stafford, Texas — North American University (NAU) isn't just playing for wins on the hardwood—it's putting up championship numbers in the classroom too. The Stallion Men's and Women's Basketball Teams have officially earned the NAIA Team Scholar Award for Spring 2025, proving once again that at NAU, it's books first, buckets second, and excellence always.
The NAIA National Awards Day is no small affair. Every September, the association highlights the top academic achievements of student-athletes, administrators, and coaches nationwide. This year's announcement was crystal clear:
"The NAIA is excited to announce the 2025 National Awards Day winners, which include student-athletes, athletics personnel, and schools from across the association. The honorees are celebrated for their hard work, exemplary character, and significant accomplishments both on and off the field."
Click Here To See The NAIA List 2025 NATIONAL AWARDS DAY WINNERS
To even be in this conversation, programs must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA across the roster—and both of NAU's basketball squads cleared the bar with confidence:
That's called scholar-athlete discipline.
Academic Excellence with Stallion Swagger
The Men's Basketball Team, fueled by leaders like Bersil "Cobra" Cox, showed the same discipline in the classroom that they bring to the court. Meanwhile, the Women's Basketball Team, guided by impact players like D'Marchay "Big Play Chay" Scott, not only met the standard but also delivered individual stars recognized as NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes for holding GPAs above 3.5.
And let's not forget—NAU Men's Soccer actually posted the highest team GPA at 3.18. That's three different programs proving that the Stallion grind is about consistency, focus, and long-term success.
Culture + Leadership = Results
None of this happens by accident. It's a reflection of the culture established by Athletic Director Coach Kenneth Apande, the only AD in school history, and the steady voice building a program where academic ambition matches athletic fire. His leadership has anchored a system where coaches demand excellence, faculty support student growth, and families rally behind their student-athletes.
As President, Dr. Faruk Taban reminded the Stallion family at the annual Athletics Awards Banquet:
"The Stallion spirit is built on hard work, teamwork, and unity."
That's not just talk—that's the blueprint being lived out every semester.
Locking In: Academic Achievements = True Wins
Here's the mindset, straight from an eGaming coach's playbook:
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You can't win the game if you don't master the fundamentals. For student-athletes, the GPA is the scoreboard that matters for life beyond the court.
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Discipline transfers. The grind you show in the classroom builds the same mental muscle you use in a close 4th quarter.
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This is legacy mode. NAU is creating a tradition of student-athletes who don't just play—they graduate, lead, and set the standard.
A Stallion Standard
This award isn't just a line on the resume. It's a national spotlight on NAU's mission: producing well-rounded leaders who know how to lock in, stay disciplined, and keep their priorities straight.
With continued investment in academic support and a commitment to character development, the Stallions are making one thing clear:
Champions aren't just crowned in the gym—they're forged in the classroom.
So let's throw those 4-finger hooves up one more time, because when it comes to balancing books and basketball, NAU just leveled up the game.
Written By Rev. Justin C. Jackson
