CLEVELAND, Ohio—For an unprecedented third straight year, Miami University Athletics has captured the prestigious Mid-American Conference Dr. Carol A. Cartwright Award for excellence in academics, athletics and citizenship for the 2020-21 academic year. Only one other MAC school has won three collective Cartwright Awards in the history of its presentation, and Miami is the only school to seize it a third consecutive time.
 
"I give thanks to our wonderful coaches and staff for leading us through a challenging year, and, of course, our amazing student-athletes for their achievements that led to Miami winning the Cartwright Award again," said Miami University Director of Athletics David Sayler. "To win three straight awards that symbolize the best overall athletic program in the combined areas of academics, competitive success and community service, shows our mission of 'Graduating Champions' continues to thrive throughout the University community. We will celebrate this accomplishment, of course, but I am excited for our future as well. Miami Athletics will not rest or tire in our relentless pursuit of excellence."
 
"We take pride in developing student-athletes who are able to thrive inside and outside of the classroom and be leaders in the community," said Miami University President Gregory Crawford. "I am so humbled by the dedication and tenacity of these student-athletes and scholars. This recognition is not only a great achievement for our student-athletes, but a testament to how dynamic and supportive our faculty, coaching staff, and the Miami University community are as well."
 
Miami won its first Cartwright Award in department history in 2017-18 and followed that by capturing the award a second straight time in 2018-19. The MAC did not award the honor in 2019-20. Miami competes in 19 varsity sports and supports more than 550 student-athletes.

"The Cartwright Award recognizes overall excellence, focusing on academic achievement, athletic success and community engagement," said Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, Mid-American Conference Commissioner. "This award reinforces the core values of our Conference. It is exceptional for Miami University's students, coaches and staff to be selected by their peers for the third consecutive year."
 
Athletically, Miami was one of the premier programs in the MAC in 2020-21, capturing its second straight and MAC record 25th overall Reese Trophy for men's all-sport excellence, while finishing third in the Jacoby Trophy standings for women's all-sport excellence, a mere 0.54 points out of first. The RedHawks won MAC championships in field hockey, men's swimming and diving, softball and men's outdoor track and field, while boasting 17 individual MAC champions.
 
Academically, it was a banner year for Miami Athletics despite the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic as every single athletic program posted a team GPA of 3.0 or better for the 2020-21 academic year and boasted a department-wide GPA of 3.42 for the entire academic year. The RedHawks continued a string of 33-straight semesters with a department-wide GPA of 3.0 or better.
 
Last year, Miami Athletics participated in community projects and support, both virtually and in-person, accumulating more than 1,200 hours of impact to more than 50 schools, non-profits, hospitals, businesses, children's charities, local families, assisted living facilities and others in their RedHawk family. Despite the COVID limitations, Miami student-athletes and staff were able to make a tremendous impact outside of their competitive arenas in the areas of citizenship, inclusion and community service.
 
The Cartwright Award is an institutional award presented annually to one university in the MAC.  A committee with representation from all 12 institutions selected the Cartwright Award winner from nominations submitted based upon the criteria of excellence in academics, athletics and citizenship. The award began in 2008-09. Miami was the first school to win back-to-back Cartwright Awards and the first to claim it three years in a row.
 
The Cartwright Award is named in honor of Dr. Carol A. Cartwright, one of the most highly respected voices in higher education. Dr. Cartwright served as the President of Kent State University from 1991-2006 and President of Bowling Green from 2008-2011. Dr. Cartwright previously was the vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of California at Davis and dean for undergraduate programs and vice provost at the Pennsylvania State University. She has served on the NCAA Board of Directors and is a member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.