Miami University Earns 2025-26 Cartwright Award
8/27/2026 9:55:00 AM | General
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference (MAC) announced today that Miami University has been selected as the recipient of the Dr. Carol A. Cartwright Award, recognizing the institution for excellence in academics, athletics and citizenship during the 2025-26 academic year. This marks the fourth time Miami has earned the prestigious honor.
"The Cartwright Award represents the highest level of comprehensive achievement among our member institutions," said Mid-American Conference Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher. "Miami University distinguished itself throughout the 2025-26 academic year through extraordinary accomplishments in the classroom, remarkable success in competition and a deep commitment to serving its community. This award is a reflection of the culture and values established across Miami Athletics and the University. I congratulate Miami's student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty, staff and the entire University community on this outstanding accomplishment."
The Cartwright Award is an institutional honor presented annually to one MAC university. A committee with representation from all 12 member institutions selects the recipient from nominations submitted based on demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics and citizenship.
"Our student-athletes continue to grow as leaders and as individuals beyond their athletic venues," said Miami University President Gregory Crawford. "This recognition reflects Miami's commitment to developing individuals who will lead, advance knowledge and strengthen their communities. It is a tremendous honor for our student-athletes, coaches and the entire Miami Athletics program, as well as the faculty and staff who are so committed to their academic success."
The award is named in honor of Dr. Carol A. Cartwright, one of the most respected leaders in higher education and intercollegiate athletics. Cartwright served as president of Kent State University from 1991-2006 and president of Bowling Green State University from 2008-2011. She previously held leadership positions at the University of California, Davis, and Penn State University and served on the NCAA Board of Directors and the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.
"I am so proud of our talented student-athletes and amazing coaching staff who have made winning this prestigious award possible," said Miami Director of Athletics David Sayler. "The culture in our department is very strong, and that comes from an alignment in vision that begins at the highest levels of our University and extends into the daily lives of our student-athletes. This award reinforces the impact of our Graduation Champions mission. We will certainly celebrate this accomplishment together, but we remain equally excited about what lies ahead. Miami Athletics will continue its relentless pursuit of comprehensive excellence."
Academic Excellence
Miami student-athletes posted a department-wide 3.328 grade-point average during the 2025-26 academic year. Twelve of Miami's 19 sports recorded a 3.4 GPA or higher, including eight programs with a 3.5 GPA or better.
The RedHawks extended their department-wide streak to 43 consecutive semesters with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and led the MAC with a 95 percent Graduation Success Rate. Miami student-athletes also earned 162 Academic All-MAC honors and 47 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selections.
Athletic Achievement
Miami completed one of the most successful athletic years in school and MAC history, recording a school-record 209 combined victories and seven MAC team championships.
The RedHawks swept the MAC's Reese and Jacoby Trophies for the second consecutive year, becoming the first institution in conference history to accomplish back-to-back sweeps. Miami also became the first institution to win both all-sports trophies in the same year five times.
Individually, Miami produced 72 All-MAC honorees, 11 conference Players of the Year, 10 individual MAC champions and five MAC Coaches of the Year.
Men's basketball completed a 31-0 regular season, established a MAC record for consecutive victories and earned the conference's first NCAA Tournament at-large bid since Miami in 1999. The RedHawks then defeated SMU in the First Four to earn the program's first NCAA Tournament victory since 1999.
Women's basketball captured both the MAC regular-season and tournament championships, sending Miami's men's and women's basketball teams to the NCAA Tournament in the same year for the first time in school history.
Field hockey won its ninth consecutive MAC regular-season championship and eighth straight MAC Tournament title before advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight, becoming the first MAC program to reach that stage of the NCAA Championship.
Citizenship and Community Engagement
Miami student-athletes contributed approximately 5,400 hours of community service during the 2025-26 academic year and helped raise more than $40,000 for charitable causes.
The Love.Honor.Care initiative raised nearly $28,000 for Ride Cincinnati to support cancer research and care, while Miami football helped generate more than $11,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through the Light the Night Walk. Student-athletes also collected more than 6,300 boxes and cans of food for local and campus food pantries.
Through Reading with the RedHawks, Miami student-athletes distributed more than 600 books to local elementary students and provided $2,500 to school libraries. Six children facing serious illnesses or disabilities were paired with Miami teams through Team IMPACT.
Throughout the year, Miami student-athletes also participated in Special Olympics, Best Buddies programs, youth sports clinics, local park cleanups, senior-center programs and numerous other community initiatives throughout Oxford and Butler County.
Miami further demonstrated its commitment to developing student-athletes beyond competition through the Champions 4 Life Leadership Academy, which provides leadership education throughout a student-athlete's collegiate career. The program begins with a mandatory freshman course focused on values, character, accountability, discipline, emotional intelligence and leadership.
Cartwright Award Winners
2025-26 Miami University
2024-25 Ball State University
2023-24 University of Toledo
2022-23 University of Toledo
2021-22 University of Toledo
2020-21 Miami University
2019-20 N/A (COVID-19)
2018-19 Miami University
2017-18 Miami University
2016-17 Eastern Michigan University
2015-16 Kent State University
2014-15 Central Michigan University
2013-14 Eastern Michigan University
2012-13 Kent State University
2011-12 University of Toledo
2010-11 Western Michigan University
2009-10 Kent State University
2008-09 Central Michigan University
"The Cartwright Award represents the highest level of comprehensive achievement among our member institutions," said Mid-American Conference Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher. "Miami University distinguished itself throughout the 2025-26 academic year through extraordinary accomplishments in the classroom, remarkable success in competition and a deep commitment to serving its community. This award is a reflection of the culture and values established across Miami Athletics and the University. I congratulate Miami's student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty, staff and the entire University community on this outstanding accomplishment."
The Cartwright Award is an institutional honor presented annually to one MAC university. A committee with representation from all 12 member institutions selects the recipient from nominations submitted based on demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics and citizenship.
"Our student-athletes continue to grow as leaders and as individuals beyond their athletic venues," said Miami University President Gregory Crawford. "This recognition reflects Miami's commitment to developing individuals who will lead, advance knowledge and strengthen their communities. It is a tremendous honor for our student-athletes, coaches and the entire Miami Athletics program, as well as the faculty and staff who are so committed to their academic success."
The award is named in honor of Dr. Carol A. Cartwright, one of the most respected leaders in higher education and intercollegiate athletics. Cartwright served as president of Kent State University from 1991-2006 and president of Bowling Green State University from 2008-2011. She previously held leadership positions at the University of California, Davis, and Penn State University and served on the NCAA Board of Directors and the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.
"I am so proud of our talented student-athletes and amazing coaching staff who have made winning this prestigious award possible," said Miami Director of Athletics David Sayler. "The culture in our department is very strong, and that comes from an alignment in vision that begins at the highest levels of our University and extends into the daily lives of our student-athletes. This award reinforces the impact of our Graduation Champions mission. We will certainly celebrate this accomplishment together, but we remain equally excited about what lies ahead. Miami Athletics will continue its relentless pursuit of comprehensive excellence."
Academic Excellence
Miami student-athletes posted a department-wide 3.328 grade-point average during the 2025-26 academic year. Twelve of Miami's 19 sports recorded a 3.4 GPA or higher, including eight programs with a 3.5 GPA or better.
The RedHawks extended their department-wide streak to 43 consecutive semesters with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and led the MAC with a 95 percent Graduation Success Rate. Miami student-athletes also earned 162 Academic All-MAC honors and 47 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selections.
Athletic Achievement
Miami completed one of the most successful athletic years in school and MAC history, recording a school-record 209 combined victories and seven MAC team championships.
The RedHawks swept the MAC's Reese and Jacoby Trophies for the second consecutive year, becoming the first institution in conference history to accomplish back-to-back sweeps. Miami also became the first institution to win both all-sports trophies in the same year five times.
Individually, Miami produced 72 All-MAC honorees, 11 conference Players of the Year, 10 individual MAC champions and five MAC Coaches of the Year.
Men's basketball completed a 31-0 regular season, established a MAC record for consecutive victories and earned the conference's first NCAA Tournament at-large bid since Miami in 1999. The RedHawks then defeated SMU in the First Four to earn the program's first NCAA Tournament victory since 1999.
Women's basketball captured both the MAC regular-season and tournament championships, sending Miami's men's and women's basketball teams to the NCAA Tournament in the same year for the first time in school history.
Field hockey won its ninth consecutive MAC regular-season championship and eighth straight MAC Tournament title before advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight, becoming the first MAC program to reach that stage of the NCAA Championship.
Citizenship and Community Engagement
Miami student-athletes contributed approximately 5,400 hours of community service during the 2025-26 academic year and helped raise more than $40,000 for charitable causes.
The Love.Honor.Care initiative raised nearly $28,000 for Ride Cincinnati to support cancer research and care, while Miami football helped generate more than $11,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through the Light the Night Walk. Student-athletes also collected more than 6,300 boxes and cans of food for local and campus food pantries.
Through Reading with the RedHawks, Miami student-athletes distributed more than 600 books to local elementary students and provided $2,500 to school libraries. Six children facing serious illnesses or disabilities were paired with Miami teams through Team IMPACT.
Throughout the year, Miami student-athletes also participated in Special Olympics, Best Buddies programs, youth sports clinics, local park cleanups, senior-center programs and numerous other community initiatives throughout Oxford and Butler County.
Miami further demonstrated its commitment to developing student-athletes beyond competition through the Champions 4 Life Leadership Academy, which provides leadership education throughout a student-athlete's collegiate career. The program begins with a mandatory freshman course focused on values, character, accountability, discipline, emotional intelligence and leadership.
Cartwright Award Winners
2025-26 Miami University
2024-25 Ball State University
2023-24 University of Toledo
2022-23 University of Toledo
2021-22 University of Toledo
2020-21 Miami University
2019-20 N/A (COVID-19)
2018-19 Miami University
2017-18 Miami University
2016-17 Eastern Michigan University
2015-16 Kent State University
2014-15 Central Michigan University
2013-14 Eastern Michigan University
2012-13 Kent State University
2011-12 University of Toledo
2010-11 Western Michigan University
2009-10 Kent State University
2008-09 Central Michigan University
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