General

Elyse Warren Named 25-26 D3CA Regional Athlete of the Year

CANTON, Ga. – The Division III Commissioners Association (D3CA) is proud to announce the 20 outstanding student-athletes selected as the 2025-26 Regional Student-Athlete of the Year winners. These prestigious awards, now in their fourth year, recognize graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and service throughout their collegiate careers.

From the Southern Athletic Association (SAA), Elyse Warren, a women's basketball player of Millsaps has been tabbed as the Region VI Athlete of the Year, marking a back-to-back appearance for the SAA after Centre College's Grace Walker won the award last year.

Each regional winner now advances to the national ballot for the D3CA Men's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year and D3CA Women's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year awards, which will be announced next month.

Award Selection & Criteria
Graduating seniors were the only student-athletes eligible for nomination. Each conference was permitted to submit up to two nominees for each gendered award, provided at least one was an international student or from an ethnic minority background. Selection was based on four key areas:
  • Academic Achievement
  • Athletic Excellence
  • Service and Leadership
  • Personal Statement
Voting took place among commissioners within each of the 10 Division III regions. The top male and female honoree in each region will be considered for the two national awards.
About the D3 Commissioners Association (D3CA)
The D3CA was established in 1992 to provide a collaborative network for Division III commissioners to share knowledge, resources, and best practices. Working alongside key organizations such as the NCAA and NACDA, the association is committed to enhancing the student-athlete experience through innovation and collective leadership.

For more information on all things SAA, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the SAA's home on the internet at www.saa-sports.com. Be sure to stay up to date on all ofyour Southern Athletic Association news by following @SAA_Sports on Twitter (X) and @SAA_Sports on Instagram.