RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – The Great American Conference has announced its sportsmanship awards for the 2024-25 year with Ouachita earning honors in football, softball, and women's track & field.

Ouachita tied Arkansas Tech for the most sportsmanship awards won during the 2024-25 year. The Tiger football and softball teams have now won the award four times. The honor is the first for the women's track & field team.

"We had an amazing year when it comes to athletic competition, but just as important to our university is how we go about it," said Ouachita Director of Athletics David Sharp. "I want to commend all of our student-athletes and coaches, but specifically Coach Todd Knight, Coach Jeff Jackson, Coach Steve Guymon, and the student-athletes on their respective teams for representing Ouachita in such an exceptional way."

The GAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee initiated a sportsmanship award in 2012 to be presented for all team sports. The head coaches of each sport vote on the award. The goal in creating the award is to promote good sportsmanship among its teams, fans, and all involved with the events.

"These awards emphasize the NCAA Division II focus on sportsmanship and game environment," GAC Commissioner Will Prewitt said.  "We could not be prouder of what these programs have put forth on the field and in ways that aren't necessarily reflected in the outcome."

OUACHITA'S GAC SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HISTORY

• 2012-13: Volleyball, Men's Basketball, Men's Tennis, Softball
• 2013-14: Football, Women's Cross Country
• 2014-15: Men's Tennis
• 2015-16: Football
• 2017-18: Volleyball
• 2018-19: Men's Tennis, Softball
• 2019-20: Women's Cross Country, Volleyball
• 2020-21: Women's Tennis
• 2021-22: Men's Cross Country, Women's Tennis
• 2022-23: Women's Cross Country, Men's Cross Country, Men's Basketball, Women's Tennis
• 2023-24: Women's Cross Country, Men's Cross Country, Football, Women's Tennis, Softball
• 2024-25: Football, Softball, Women's Track & Field