Excellence in athletics is often celebrated under the bright lights, with roaring crowds and championship trophies. But behind the scenes, away from the packed stadiums and televised matchups, another kind of achievement deserves just as much recognition: academic excellence. For the 2024–2025 season, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) once again salutes the student-athletes who have not only performed at the highest level in their respective sports, but have also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to success in the classroom. The All-ACC Academic Team selections for the 2024–2025 academic year have been announced, spotlighting the conference’s brightest minds and hardest workers.
Being named to the All-ACC Academic Team is a distinction that recognizes more than just GPA. It is a testament to time management, personal discipline, and a deep dedication to personal growth both on and off the field. In a conference that boasts some of the nation’s top athletic programs, the academic expectations are just as demanding. For student-athletes to rise to the top in both arenas is no small feat, and that’s precisely what makes this honor so significant.
This year’s group of honorees represents a wide range of sports—from football, basketball, and soccer to tennis, swimming, lacrosse, and beyond. Their diversity in backgrounds, interests, and ambitions reflects the holistic excellence that defines the ACC. Some are future doctors and engineers. Others aspire to careers in business, education, or sports leadership. Regardless of their paths, they share a common thread: a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Among the honorees are familiar names who dazzled fans with clutch performances, last-minute goals, and season-defining plays. But their stories off the field are equally inspiring. Consider the standout quarterback who carried his team through a bowl-winning season while majoring in biomedical sciences, maintaining a 3.9 GPA. Or the volleyball star who led her squad to the NCAA tournament while conducting undergraduate research in environmental sustainability. These individuals embody the ideal of the student-athlete, shattering the myth that one must choose between academics and athletics.
This year’s selections also include several repeat honorees—student-athletes who have consistently demonstrated excellence over multiple seasons. Their continued success speaks volumes about their character, resilience, and ability to thrive under pressure. It’s not just about hitting the books; it’s about doing so after late-night practices, long travel days, and grueling competition schedules. Balancing these responsibilities requires a level of organization and inner drive that few fully appreciate.
Coaches and academic advisors across the ACC play a pivotal role in fostering this environment of support and accountability. With rigorous tutoring programs, mentoring systems, and academic monitoring, schools in the conference provide resources designed to help student-athletes succeed. But it’s the students themselves who must put in the work—and this year’s group did just that, making sacrifices and embracing challenges in the pursuit of a meaningful education.
In addition to their athletic and academic commitments, many of these honorees have made a difference in their communities. Whether volunteering with local youth programs, supporting mental health initiatives, or participating in campus leadership, these student-athletes have extended their impact far beyond the playing surface. They understand that being a role model means more than just winning games. It means showing up—every day—with integrity, humility, and purpose.
Family and peers often serve as key motivators. Many honorees point to their parents, siblings, coaches, or teammates as the people who pushed them to strive for more. Their journeys are rarely solo endeavors. Instead, they are the product of strong support systems, late-night study sessions, and a determination to make the most of every opportunity. The ACC’s commitment to developing leaders is reflected in the character and accomplishments of these young men and women.
The All-ACC Academic Team also highlights the importance of preparation for life after sports. For most student-athletes, their competitive careers will end when their eligibility does. That reality places even greater importance on academics. By excelling in the classroom, these individuals are building a foundation for the next chapter—whether that’s graduate school, professional careers, or entrepreneurial ventures. They are prepared to succeed in any arena because they have learned how to learn, how to lead, and how to adapt.
Recognition like this doesn’t come with fanfare or viral highlights. It’s often quieter, more personal. A diploma earned. A job interview nailed. A dream school acceptance letter. These victories are just as meaningful, if not more so, than anything that happens on game day. The ACC, with its storied traditions and elite competition, continues to prove that academic achievement is not an afterthought—it is a central part of its identity.
For incoming freshmen and future student-athletes, this year’s list of honorees offers inspiration and a roadmap. It proves that the grind can pay off, that it’s possible to pursue greatness in multiple dimensions, and that true success is found not just in trophies, but in the growth and development of the whole person. To be named an All-ACC Academic honoree is to join a legacy of excellence, leadership, and integrity.
The 2024–2025 list includes individuals who will no doubt go on to shape their fields—whether in medicine, law, coaching, engineering, or beyond. They will be doctors who once suited up for Saturday games, analysts who broke down tape and balance sheets alike, and educators who understand the power of a team. The ripple effects of their efforts will extend long past their final seasons.
It’s also worth acknowledging that the road is not easy. Student-athletes face unique challenges that their non-athlete peers may never experience: missing class for travel, battling fatigue after competition, and living under constant scrutiny. Despite these pressures, they continue to raise the bar—not just for themselves, but for their schools, their sports, and the ACC as a whole. They are living proof that excellence is not confined to a single domain. It is a way of life.
The ACC’s announcement serves as a celebration and a call to action. It challenges others to follow suit, to commit to growth in all aspects of life, and to value education as a lifelong journey. These honorees are not just students or athletes. They are scholars, teammates, leaders, and future trailblazers.
As we look ahead to the future of college athletics, especially in a time of rapid change, it’s comforting and inspiring to see that the core values still shine through: hard work, commitment, passion, and purpose. The 2024–2025 All-ACC Academic Team reminds us what is possible when these values are upheld.
To all those honored: congratulations. Your dedication has not gone unnoticed. You’ve proven that success is not a zero-sum game and that it’s entirely possible to shine in both the classroom and in competition. You’ve set a standard that others will aspire to meet—and in doing so, you’ve made your schools, your families, and the entire ACC community immensely proud.
May your future be as bright as your achievements, and may this recognition be just the beginning of even greater things to come. Because the same mindset that earned you this honor—the discipline, the focus, the heart—will carry you wherever you choose to go next. The best is truly yet to come.