RALEIGH, N.C. — The Shaw University football program has been named the recipient of the 2024-25 Freddie Vaughn Academic Award after posting the highest team grade point average among Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) football programs with a 3.28 GPA.

The honor, which recognizes the top academic football program in the league each year, was announced last Saturday during the CIAA Football Championship.

"This award represents the standard our student-athletes continue to uphold," said head football coach Lamar Manigo. "We're incredibly proud of their commitment to excellence beyond the field.

The Freddie Vaughn Academic Award is named in memory of former CIAA associate commissioner Freddie Vaughn, who was known for his unwavering support of academic success and student-athlete development. The citation stands as one of the conference's most prestigious academic honors.

"This accomplishment reflects the culture Shaw Athletics strives to build where academic performance matches athletic effort," said Director of Athletic Communications Antoine Lynch. "Our football student-athletes continue to prove they are truly committed in the classroom."

The 3.28 team GPA marks one of the strongest academic performances in program history and adds to Shaw's growing list of conference academic achievements across multiple sports during the 2024-25 academic year.