Student-athletes from Mississippi’s various colleges and universities have been recognized for their excellence in the classroom during the 2025 David M. Halbrook Trophy presentation. Colleges and universities that achieve and maintain high academic standards for student-athletes, while simultaneously promoting high graduation rates, were also honored.
The award was endowed by former state lawmaker David Halbrook Sr. and his brothers in honor of their parents. The awards were announced during the Education Achievement Council Meeting held in late October. Dr. Casey Prestwood, associate commissioner for academic and student affairs with Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, announced the awards for the 2024-2025 academic school year.
Institutionally, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College took home the title for academic achievements in the men’s division, while both Jones College and Northwest Mississippi Community College were recognized in the women’s division. At the independent university level, Mississippi College earned the sweep in the men’s and women’s divisions, while Southern Miss accomplished the same feat in the public university ranks.
As for the school that displayed the greatest increase over the previous year in the percentage of athletes graduating, the John C. and Ernestine McCall Halbrook Improvement Award went to Mississippi State.
The individual student-athletes who earned the Halbrook Certificate Award for Academic Achievement can be found below:
Each higher learning institution selected a male and female student-athlete to receive the recognition.
