NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) announced today the edition of two new student-athlete awards beginning with the 2021-22 academic year, as well as the renaming of an established award.

RESPECT Award
At the conclusion of every sports season, each varsity program will recognize one student-athlete as their RESPECT Award honoree. RESPECT Award recipients have distinguished themselves as an integral member of the team, their institution and community by upholding the values of Responsibility, Enthusiasm, Service, Pride, Excellence, Collaboration and Trust. The RESPECT Award recognizes the intangible traits a student-athlete possesses that exemplify great character and encourages inclusiveness and a positive culture.

Elite 25 Award
During each conference championship, the CCIW will present the Elite 25 Award which recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the conference championship level while also achieving the highest academic standard among their peers. 

Modeled after the NCAA's Elite 90 program, the CCIW Elite 25 is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average (GPA) participating in the finals site for each of the CCIW’s 25 championships. Specific criteria can be found at CCIW.org/AwardsCriteria.

Dave Wrath Academic All-Conference Team
Additionally, the CCIW Academic All-Conference Team will be renamed the "Dave Wrath Academic All-Conference Team", named after long-time Augustana administrator Dave Wrath (Pictured Right). Wrath retired in June as the Associate Director of Athletics for Media and Alumni Relations, serving the Vikings for 40 years. In addition to his duties at Augustana, Wrath served as the CCIW Sports Information Director from 1996 to 2005 and was instrumental in establishing the CCIW's Academic All-Conference Program in 2005. 
 
The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) was founded in 1946 and currently services nine member institutions including Augustana College (Rock Island, IL), Carroll University (Waukesha, WI), Carthage College (Kenosha, WI), Elmhurst College (Elmhurst, IL), Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, IL), Millikin University (Decatur, IL), North Central College (Naperville, IL), North Park University (Chicago, IL) and Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL).