INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Embry-Riddle has been named one of 26 finalists for the 2026 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence. The accolade recognizes initiatives during the previous academic year that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement and student-athlete leadership.
 
Embry-Riddle Athletics believes in giving back to the community and one of the Eagles' primary community engagement events in 2024-25 was with Food Brings Hope. The Eagles partnered with Food Brings Hope to host children from Volusia County schools at an Embry-Riddle basketball game and participated in an event sponsored by the NASCAR Foundation at the Daytona International Speedway.
 
For the 15th year, Embry-Riddle treated hundreds of elementary-aged students to a basketball game, which included fun on-court activities, photos with the Eagles' mascot Ernie, and a pizza party. In a day filled with activities at the Speedway, ERAU student-athletes welcomed children to the event, cheered them on at various relay stations and helped distributed over 100 bikes and helmets, which were surprise gifts provided by the NASCAR Foundation.
 
With the Food Brings Hope initiative, Embry-Riddle was named the Sunshine State Conference representative for the DII Award of Excellence. A total of 27 institutions and one conference were recognized for their creativity in advancing relationships within their communities.
 
Each finalist will receive $750. In addition, the winner will receive $3,000, the first runner-up will receive $1,750 and the second runner-up will receive $1,500. All prize money is intended to be used for future SAAC initiatives or community engagement events.