Selection Criteria
To be eligible, an Academic All-America® must have:
- Received a nomination by his/her alma mater’s sports information director/communications office.
- Earned Academic All-America® Team honors during his/her collegiate career or must meet the criteria for an Honorary Inductee.
- Graduated with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- Received college diploma at least 10 years ago.
- Proven career success and philanthropic service.
Selection Procedure
Each year, College Sports Communicators members nominate former Academic All-Americas® from their institutions. A national ballot consisting of all eligible candidates (more than 100 each year) is distributed to the CSC Executive Board of Directors and the Academic All-America® Committee in an on-line process to determine the “Top 25” finalists.
The “Top 25” finalists ballot is prepared for a 12 member Hall of Fame selection committee, which is made up of the program spokesperson, CSC representatives, current Hall of Fame members and a sponsor dignitary. The Hall of Fame selection committee selects a maximum of four inductees and, when warranted, an Honorary Inductee for each induction ceremony.
Honorary Induction
An Honorary Inductee is a person who, or an organization which, has made a significant contribution to the Academic All-America® Committee, Teams or Hall of Fame. The honorary designation may be awarded to a former scholar-athlete whose collegiate career pre-dated the Academic All-America® program in his/her particular sport. The eligible candidates' academic and athletic achievements must meet minimum criteria for selection to the Hall of Fame.