DENVER – For the second time in three years, MSU Denver Athletics has been named by the NCAA as the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference winner and finalists for the Division II Award of Excellence.
 
A total of 22 Division II institutions across the country were recognized for their creativity in advancing relationships within their communities. Entries were submitted that exemplify the Division II philosophy, identity, community engagement and student-athlete leadership initiatives.
 
MSU Denver has been recognized for its work with the Miracle League.
 
"I'm very proud of our continued commitment to the community across a wide range of areas," said Todd Thurman, MSU Denver's director of athletics. "This is just one example of the great work our teams do to serve others. The long-standing relationship between our softball team, led by coach Annie Van Wetzinga, and the Miracle League continues to be one of our many rewarding engagements, and we are pleased that coach Ryan Strain's baseball team has joined in the effort.
 
"We look forward to expanding our reach and continuing to be a department that our campus and our city is proud of."
 
The MSU Denver softball team had a special evening with young people from the Miracle League of Metro Denver on Sept. 17, welcoming them into the Assembly Athletic Complex for a night of adaptive baseball.
 
Miracle League of Metro Denver is a 501(c)3 nonprofit in metro Denver that provides children and adults, who are living with various mental and/or physical challenges, an opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league.
 
MSU Denver softball has been interacting with the Miracle League since 2016, and members of the baseball team also participated this year.
 
National finalists receive $500, which is encouraged to be used by the Student-Athletic Advisory Committee for initiatives or other events to further support engagement on the institution's campus or community.
 
The winner, runner-up and third-place honoree for the 2023 Division II Award of Excellence will be announced during the Division II business session on January 14. The national winner receives $2,500, with $1,250 going to the runner-up and $1,000 to the third-place selection.
 
MSU Denver was a national finalist in 2021 for its work with Food for Thought.