INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Today, the NCAA announced the 2026 conference finalists for the Division II Award of Excellence, an honor "recognizing initiatives in the past year that exemplify the Division II philosophy, community engagement, and student-athlete leadership." The finalist representing the Great American Conference is Southern Arkansas University's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and its Make-A-Wish initiative. This is the third time the Muleriders have garnered the conference honor to become a finalist for the NCAA Award – 2013, 2023, 2026.
 
"The heart the Mulerider Student-Athlete has for their community is second to none. I am happy to serve them, as they serve others. This honor is a fantastic tribute to the time, effort, and energy our Muleriders poured into making Rachael's reveal so special," noted SAU Associate AD for Internal Operations Sage Fowler, who serves as the institution's SAAC Advisor.
 
This recognition comes on the heels of a fall semester in which Mulerider Athletics and the SAU SAAC teamed up with Make-A-Wish to grant Rachael's Wish. On October 9^th, 2025, SAAC took Rachael on a tour of campus specifically highlighting some of her interests. From meeting student-athletes, The Mulerider, and Dr. Bruno Hicks, to admiring art, and learning about E-Sports, Rachael and her family were showered with excitement and encouragement along the way. The highlight of the day came inside the W.T. Watson Center, where Mulerider Volleyball helped SAAC grant Rachael's Wish and reveal that she and, her family, were going to Disney World!
 
"Seeing Sage and our student-athletes work together to positively impact someone else's life truly reflects the heart and soul of Mulerider Athletics. Our commitment is to be champions on the playing surfaces, in the classroom, and within the community, and this initiative powerfully reinforces the difference our student-athletes make every day," said Director of Athletics Steve Browning.