RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – The Great American Conference has announced its sportsmanship awards for the 2025-26 year with six Ouachita teams earning the honor, the most in the conference and a record for OBU Athletics.

Football, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track & field, and women's soccer were recognized for their sportsmanship efforts during the 2025-26 athletic season. Tiger Football has won the award the last three seasons and five times total since the inception of the award in 2012. Men's and women's cross country have each won the award four times, while men's track & field and women's soccer are garnering the recognition for the first time.

"We had a great 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 Kevin Wright, 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
• 2025-26: Football, Women's Cross Country, Men's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field, Men's Track & Field, Women's Soccer