Article by Director of Athletic Communications Luke Tracy 

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. (1/5/2024) – Twenty-five schools and two conferences have been named finalists for the 2024 Division II Award of Excellence, an accolade recognizing initiatives in the past year that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement and student athlete-leadership. Eight finalists were selected as at-large honorees for submitting a strong nomination that was not chosen as finalists for the division.

The Franklin Pierce University Track & Field and Cross-Country teams made the prestigious list as the only program from the Northeast-10 for their engagement with students from Hopkinton Middle-High School (the middle school and high school share buildings but the students worked specifically with middle school students).

In September, student-athletes of the program sent letters to the middle school students before their first meet. A quick response was mailed to the Franklin Pierce students which kicked of the buddy program. On October 3^rd, the Ravens broke out their markers and colored pencils, creating posters to cheer on the HMS students as they ran at their home meet.

Just ten days later, the HMS students were dismissed from class early so they could head over to the Hopkinton Fair Grounds for the 11^th Annual Bruce Kirsh Cross Country Cup. Cheering from the sidelines, the students watched Wondu Summa grab first place and the men's team earn runner-up overall. Following the race, the Ravens and the HMS students gathered at the home of Head Coach Zach Emerson for a pasta dinner and Karaoke party. In the weeks that followed, more letters were exchanged between the two programs which included wisdom on running from the Ravens.

On November 4^th, Franklin Pierce University hosted the NCAA DII East-Region Championships which welcomed hundreds of runners from across the Northeast. The HMS students once again showed up with signs and screams of encouragement and Summa again grabbed first place and the men's team earned 3^rd overall. To celebrate the successful season of running and new friendships, the teams got together for a final pizza party.

Division II honors its members each year for conducting events that promote student-athletes giving back and serving as leaders within their communities or on their campuses. A committee of athletics administrators determined this year's finalists, and the national Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee selected the top three finalists, who will be announced at the Division II business session on January 13 at the 2024 NCAA Convention in Phoenix.

Each finalist will receive $500. In addition, the winner will receive $2,500, the runner up will receive $1,250 and the third-place finisher will receive $1,000. All prize money is intended to be used for the future SAAC initiatives or community engagement events.