SALISBURY, NC – Livingstone College once again demonstrated that excellence extends far beyond athletic competition, leading the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) with six Dr. Freddie Vaughn Highest Team Academic Awards for the 2025-26 academic year.
Announced by the CIAA on July 30, the annual awards recognize the conference teams that earned the highest cumulative grade point average (GPA) in each sponsored sport. Livingstone's student-athletes captured top academic honors in six sports, the most of any institution in the conference.
The Blue Bears earned conference-best team GPAs in:
- Men's Cross Country – 3.817
- Football – 3.141
- Men's Indoor Track & Field – 3.397
- Women's Indoor Track & Field – 3.481
- Men's Outdoor Track & Field – 3.390
- Volleyball – 3.609
The award, renamed in 2018 in honor of Dr. Freddie Vaughn, celebrates the legacy of the longtime Bowie State University Faculty Athletics Representative who championed academic excellence among student-athletes. The recognition highlights the importance of balancing success in competition with achievement in the classroom.
"Winning in the classroom is the greatest victory at our HBCUs," said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker. "The Dr. Freddie Vaughn Highest Team Academic Awards reflect the important balance between academic and athletic success and demonstrate our institutions' commitment not only to athletics, but also to the academic achievement of our student-athletes."
Livingstone's conference-leading performance is a testament to the commitment of its student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and academic support staff, who continue to uphold the college's tradition of excellence both academically and athletically.
The Blue Bears' six academic championships underscore Livingstone's dedication to developing well-rounded student-athletes who excel in the classroom while competing at the highest level in the CIAA.
