Colorado College has been named the winner of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's (NCHC) inaugural Academic Excellence Award for the 2025-26 season, the league announced on Thursday.
 
The Tigers compiled a 3.762 average team grade-point average (GPA) during the past academic year, which was the highest average team GPA among the NCHC's nine members in 2025-26. Among CC's 28 student-athletes on the roster, two earned a perfect 4.0 this past year while 12 recorded a 3.8 GPA or better.
 
The NCHC Academic Excellence Award is based on the average student-athlete GPA for the previous academic year only (not cumulative GPA). Team GPA calculations included all student-athletes who competed, practiced or received academic aid during the 2025-26 school year, with credits earned also a part of the GPA formula.
 
"Congratulations to Colorado College on earning the NCHC's inaugural Academic Excellence Award! This recognition is a testament to all the Tigers on last year's team for their hard work and focus in the classroom," NCHC Commissioner Heather Weems said. "Our Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs) established this new award last summer as another way to celebrate the achievements and accomplishments of our student-athletes off the ice. This annual honor does exactly that while creating camaraderie within our teams and promoting the academic success of our member schools."
 
The Tigers will be presented with their 2025-26 NCHC Academic Excellence Award by Commissioner Weems at a home game this coming fall. The date of the game is still to be determined.
 
"Winning the inaugural NCHC Team Academic Excellence Award is a great achievement that reflects the dedication of our student-athletes and the unwavering commitment of our entire campus community," Colorado College head coach Kris Mayotte said. "A 3.762 team GPA does not happen by accident. It is the direct result of our players' work ethic in the classroom, coupled with the immense investment our faculty, staff, and coaches make every day into the holistic student-athlete experience. I am incredibly proud of our team for setting this standard of excellence, and grateful to everyone at Colorado College who champions our players' success both on and off the ice."
 
In addition to earning the NCHC's inaugural Academic Excellence Award, Colorado College led the NCHC with 27 members on the 2025-26 NCHC Honor Roll for compiling at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. The Tigers also tied for the NCHC lead with 23 Distinguished Scholar-Athletes this past season, which requires a 3.5 cumulative GPA or better.