HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Houghton athletics continued its tradition of academic excellence as 97 student-athletes were named to the Empire 8 President's List for the Spring 2026 semester.
The Empire 8 Conference recently announced its President's List, which recognizes student-athletes who achieve a grade-point average of 3.75 or higher while participating in an NCAA-sponsored sport. Honorees must be enrolled full-time and demonstrate positive conduct both on and off campus.
The 97 Highlanders recognized this spring highlight Houghton's commitment to academic achievement and competitive excellence. In addition, 14 Houghton teams earned Empire 8 All-Academic Team honors by posting a team GPA of 3.20 or higher during the spring semester.
As a department, Houghton's 248 student-athletes combined to achieve a 3.44 GPA during the spring semester, reflecting the continued dedication of Highlander student-athletes to success in the classroom.
"Our student-athletes continue to exemplify what it means to pursue excellence in every aspect of the collegiate experience," said Director of Athletics Matthew Webb. "Earning recognition at this level requires tremendous commitment, discipline, and perseverance. We are proud of these students for the way they represent Houghton University both academically and athletically."
Across the conference, 1,716 student-athletes earned President's List distinction during the spring semester. The Empire 8's 5,492 student-athletes combined for a conference-wide GPA of 3.316, while a league-record 208 teams earned Empire 8 All-Academic Team recognition by achieving a team GPA of at least 3.20.
Houghton was also represented among the conference's top-performing teams academically, as the women's basketball program posted a 3.80 team GPA during the spring semester, tying for the fourth-highest GPA among all Empire 8 teams.
The Empire 8 Conference continues to be recognized as one of NCAA Division III's premier academic conferences, emphasizing excellence in the classroom alongside athletic achievement.
Houghton's Empire 8 All-Academic Teams (Spring 2026)
| Team |
Team GPA |
| Baseball |
3.42 |
| Women's Cross Country |
3.68 |
| Men's Cross Country |
3.26 |
| Field Hockey |
3.70 |
| Men's Soccer |
3.45 |
| Women's Soccer |
3.55 |
| Women's Volleyball |
3.50 |
| Women's Basketball |
3.80 |
| Women's Indoor Track |
3.59 |
| Women's Outdoor Track |
3.59 |
| Men's Tennis |
3.59 |
| Women's Tennis |
3.36 |
| Softball |
3.28 |
| Men's Basketball |
3.24 |
About the Empire 8 Conference
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and are regarded among the premier NCAA Division III conferences. The conference distinguishes itself through outstanding academic achievement, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, and a commitment to serving the educational needs of its student-athletes.
