HANCEVILLE, Ala. — Wallace State Athletics has once again demonstrated that success extends far beyond competition, earning the 2025-26 Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) Athletics Academic Champion Award for outstanding academic achievement across all sports.
The prestigious honor recognizes the conference’s top overall athletic department for academic excellence, with Wallace State posting an impressive 74.3 percent of its student-athletes earning a 3.00 GPA or higher during the 2025-26 academic year.
The award reflects the commitment of Wallace State’s student-athletes, coaches, faculty and staff to maintaining excellence in the classroom while competing at a high level in intercollegiate athletics.
“This award is a tremendous accomplishment for our student-athletes and everyone involved in our athletic department,” said Wallace State Athletic Director Paul Bailey. “Our coaches emphasize that success in the classroom is just as important as success in competition, and our student-athletes have embraced that challenge. We are incredibly proud of their dedication, discipline and commitment to excellence.”
Throughout the 2025-26 academic year, Wallace State student-athletes continued to excel academically while representing the college in competition across the ACCC and national levels. Their collective achievement underscores the department’s commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes who are prepared for success both during their time at Wallace State and beyond.
The Academic Champion Award is presented annually to the ACCC institution that records the highest percentage of student-athletes earning at least a 3.00 grade-point average across all athletic programs.
Wallace State’s 74.3 percent mark highlights a culture where academic achievement is a cornerstone of the athletic experience. The honor also reflects the support provided by faculty, academic advisors, tutors and athletic staff who work together to ensure student-athletes have the resources necessary to succeed.
The recognition adds to another outstanding year for Wallace State Athletics, further reinforcing the college’s reputation as one of the premier community college athletic programs in Alabama and the nation.
