Bowling Green Completes MAC Academic Triple Crown With Second Consecutive MAC Institutional Academic Achievement Award

CLEVELAND, Ohio - For the sixth time in program history, and the second consecutive year, Bowling Green State University has been named the winner of the Mid-American Conference Institutional Academic Achievement Award, the conference office announced on Wednesday (March 26). The award is presented annually to the MAC institution which achieves the highest overall GPA for student-athletes competing in institutionally sponsored sports during the academic year.

Earlier this week, Bowling Green was named the recipient of the MAC Women's FAR Award as well as the MAC Men's FAR Award. In addition to today's announcement of the Institutional Academic Achievement Award, Bowling Green is the first school in MAC history to complete the academic Triple Crown in the same season.

"It is an honor to be the first school in MAC history to complete the academic Triple Crown, winning the women's FAR award, the men's FAR award and now the Institutional award," said Derek van der Merwe, Vice President for Athletics Strategy. "This award is a reflection of the continued commitment of our student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and staff to the academic mission of Bowling Green State University as well as the Falcon Commitment. We are proud of the culture of excellence that has been established at BGSU and repeating with this award of a direct byproduct of that culture. Success in the classroom not only elevates the student-athlete experience but also positions our graduates to thrive long after their time at Bowling Green."

Winning the institutional award for the second consecutive year, it marks the second time in program history that BGSU has repeated, claiming the first two awards ever given in 1995 and 1996. The Falcons are the first university to repeat since 2017-19. Additionally, with six awards in program history, Bowling Green secures their hold on third all-time in the MAC for outright wins. In addition to winning in 2025-26 and 2024-25, BGSU also received the recognition in 2009-10, 2000-01, 1995-96 and 1994-95.

The 2025–26 academic year marked another historic milestone for Falcon Athletics in the classroom. At the conclusion of the year, BGSU student-athletes posted a 3.56 cumulative GPA, setting the record for the highest GPA in school history for the second year in a row. That mark also stood as the best in the Mid-American Conference and the highest cumulative athletics department GPA among all NCAA Division I institutions in Ohio.

For Bowling Green, every team posted a cumulative GPA north of 3.10 with 13 posting a mark of 3.50 or higher for the year for the second consecutive year. Additionally, 88-percent of student-athletes maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher, 64-percent earned a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher and 34-percent posted a perfect 4.00 GPA during the spring semester, the highest spring semester percentage in department history.

Bowling Green's men's athletic programs posted a combined 3.337 GPA over the course of the season. Men's cross country led the way with a 3.721 GPA. Among MAC sponsored sports, men's golf followed with a 3.687. As a department, each men's program posted a cumulative GPA of 3.11 or higher for the 2025-26 academic year, including programs of non-MAC sponsored sports.

Bowling Green's women's athletic programs posted a combined 3.73 GPA over the course of the season. Women's cross country led the way (3.857 GPA) while posting the highest GPA in the nation according to USTFCCCA. Women's golf followed closely behind (3.848) with the ninth highest GPA in the country. Among the women's teams, each program posted a cumulative GPA of 3.53 or higher.

Institutional Academic Achievement Award

2025-26 Bowling Green State University

2024-25 Bowling Green State University

2023-24 Ball State University

2022-23 University of Toledo

2021-22 Ball State University

2020-21 Kent State University

2019-20 Western Michigan University

2018-19 University of Toledo

2017-18 University of Toledo

2016-17 Western Michigan University

2015-16 University of Toledo

2014-15 University of Toledo

2013-14 Miami University

2012-13 University of Toledo

2011-12 University of Toledo

2010-11 University of Akron

2009-10 Bowling Green State University

2008-09 Ball State University

2007-08 Northern Illinois University

2006-07 Central Michigan University

2005-06 Central Michigan University

2004-05 Central Michigan University

2003-04 Central Michigan University

2002-03 Central Michigan University

2001-02 Central Michigan University

2000-01 Bowling Green State University

1999-00 Central Michigan University

1998-99 Central Michigan University

1997-98 Central Michigan University

1996-97 Ball State University and Central Michigan University (tie)

1995-96 Bowling Green State University

1994-95 Bowling Green State University

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