LANCASTER, Pa. – The United East Conference has announced Lancaster Bible College as the recipient of the 2025-26 Institutional Academic Excellence Award. Charger Athletics was previously named the 2024-25 award winner.

Lancaster Bible claimed the top honor by posting an impressive department-wide GPA of 3.38, the highest among the 17 conference institutions during the 2025-26 academic year. The award is presented annually to the institution whose student-athletes, participating in United East-sponsored sports, achieve the highest collective GPA.

"We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes," said Bryan Curtis, Director of Athletics at Lancaster Bible College. "This recognition is a testament to their commitment to excellence both in the classroom and in competition. I am also grateful for our coaches and staff, whose dedication and mentorship continue to empower our student-athletes to succeed academically, athletically, and personally."

Within the United East, 13 out of 14 institutions recorded department GPAs of 3.00 or higher, with 12 schools reaching 3.20 or above, underscoring the conference-wide commitment to academic excellence.

Lancaster Bible's success was further highlighted by 180 student-athletes being named to the United East All-Academic Team, which honors individuals who earn a GPA of 3.20 or higher over the academic year. This total included 74 student-athletes on the Fall All-Academic Team and 106 on the Winter/Spring All-Academic Team.

Four student-athletes received the United East Elite 21 award for their success in the classroom: Cadee Cameron (Women's Outdoor Track & Field); Dustin Frantz (Men's Outdoor Track & Field); Hope Swarey (Field Hockey; and Brady Wiggins (Men's Golf).

Two student-athletes were named Senior Scholar Athletes for their effort in the classroom, in their sport, and with their community: Emma McMurray (Women's Indoor Track & Field and Natalie Hoover (Women's Tennis).

In addition, 13 of Lancaster Bible's athletic programs were awarded United East Team Academic Awards, presented to teams with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher. The recognized programs included:

·       Baseball

·       Softball

·       Women's Tennis

·       Women's Volleyball

·       Women's Basketball

·       Men's Soccer

·       Men's Cross Country

·       Women's Cross Country

·       Women's Indoor Track & Field

·       Women's Outdoor Track & Field

·       Men's Golf

·       Field Hockey

"I have had many of the athletes in class in the past few years, and it has been great to see the work they put into their academic studies," said Gordon Gregory, Faculty Athletics Representative at Lancaster Bible. "We also have a wonderful team in our Ally Center that helps our student-athletes flourish in their studies. I'm excited that we have received this reward for a second year running." 

The Institutional Academic Excellence Award was originally established within the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) and continued under the United East following the merger on July 1, 2023. Lancaster Bible's achievement is a continuation of the long-standing tradition of honoring institutions that prioritize both academic and athletic excellence.