JACKSON – Student-athletes from Mississippi's public, private, two-year and four-year postsecondary institutions have been honored for their achievements in the classroom.
The David M. Halbrook Certificate for Academic Achievement Among Athletes recognizes the efforts of individual student athletes who excel in academics, leadership, and service. The award was endowed by former Mississippi Representative David Halbrook Sr., and his brothers in honor of their parents.
The awards were announced during the annual Ascent to 55% Convening, which brings together colleges, universities, businesses and industries from across the state.
Dr. Casey Prestwood, Associate Commissioner for Academic and Student Affairs, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) announced the awards for the 2025-2026 academic school year.
The David M. Halbrook (traveling) Trophy awards are presented to the colleges and universities with the highest percentage of academic achievement for the women's division and the men's division. This year's recipients include:
- Community College Men's Division:
- Jones College (45/45 male athletes)
- Community College Women's Division:
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Independent College and University Men's Division:
- Mississippi Christian University
- Independent College and University Women's Division:
- Mississippi Christian University
- Public University Men's Division:
- University of Southern Mississippi
- Public University Women's Division:
- University of Southern Mississippi
The John C. and Ernestine McCall Halbrook Improvement Award is a cash award presented to the single college or university that has shown the greatest increase over the previous year in the percentage of athletes graduating. This year's recipient is Coahoma Community College.
Each college or university selected a male and female student athlete to receive this recognition as well, and Jones College was represented by women's basketball player Larissa Hubbard and the men's student-athlete was Tripp Alexander of the men's soccer team.
"Winning the prestigious Halbrook Award is a tremendous honor for Jones College and reflects our commitment to fulfilling the mission of the college through athletic excellence and academic success," executive vice president Joel Cain said. "Our goal is not only to develop championship-caliber athletic programs but, more importantly, to graduate student-athletes who are prepared for success beyond Jones. I'm proud of our academic advisors, coaches, instructors and student-athletes who made this possible."
The Halbrook Award for Academic Achievement Among Athletes was established in 1984 through the passage of House Concurrent Resolution No. 88. The awards program is made possible through endowments from former Representative David M. Halbrook of Belzoni and his brothers, John C. and James G. Halbrook of Belzoni and J. A. Halbrook of Beaumont, Texas, in honor of their parents, John C. and Ernestine McCall Halbrook.
