ASHLAND – The Southern Oregon University athletic department earned Cascade Conference Presidents' Cup Academic Excellence status for 2024-25, the CCC office announced.

The recognition came after SOU's student-athletes in CCC-sponsored sports combined for a 3.47 GPA during the academic year – the department's highest yet.

The Raiders also totaled a record 153 Academic All-CCC honors throughout the year as 76% of student-athletes who were eligible for the honor received it.

To qualify for the Academic Excellence distinction, an athletic department must achieve an overall combined GPA of 3.0 or better and an Academic All-CCC rate of 60% or higher.

"Earning the President's Academic Excellence designation represents the highest academic honor our departments can earn from the CCC," CCC Commissioner Robert Cashell said. "It is a great accomplishment and recognizes the outstanding efforts in the classroom."