INDIANAPOLIS – The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) identified a record 780 student-athletes who earned the Brother James Gaffney Distinguished Scholar Award for the 2025-26 academic year, it was announced Wednesday. An impressive 54 UIndy student-athletes achieved a 4.0 grade point average during the course of the academic year, up 10 from from the 2025 release.
 
Named after Brother James Gaffney, FSC, former President of Lewis for more than 28 years and a two-term Chair of the GLVC Council of Presidents, the award is presented annually to student-athletes competing in GLVC-sponsored sports who achieve a 4.0 grade-point average during the course of the academic year.
 
The total eclipses last year's record of 684 honorees by 96 recipients and marks a 14-percent increase. The 780 distinguished scholars represent the highest total since the award's inception in 2016-17 and marks the fourth consecutive year the league has recognized more than 500 student-athletes.
 
Missouri S&T led all institutions with 92 honorees, followed by Rockhurst with 77 and Southwest Baptist with 73. Drury (64), Truman State (63), Lewis (60), Indianapolis (54), and Maryville (54) also surpassed the 50-recipient mark, while all 15 full-time member institutions and seven associate members were represented on this year's list.