RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The Gustavus Adolphus College Gusties led all of NCAA Division III with 176 student-athletes inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma (XAΣ) for their excellence in the classroom during the 2025-26 academic year, the National College Athlete Honor Society announced on Tuesday. This is the second year in a row that Gustavus led all of DIII for this award.
 
Chi Alpha Sigma recognizes college student-athletes who receive a varsity letter in their sport, achieve junior academic standing or higher after their fifth full-time semester, and earn a 3.5 or higher cumulative grade point average.
 
In addition to leading all of DIII, Gustavus had the third-most Chi Alpha Sigma honorees in the nation throughout all divisions. The only schools in the nation ahead of the Gusties' 176 total honorees were The Ohio State University (230) and the United States Naval Academy (204). Following the Gusties in the top five are the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (167) and Lawrence Technology University (161).
 
Gustavus also helped lead the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to having the most Chi Alpha Sigma honorees as a conference in the national with 894. Following the MIAC in the top three was the Big Ten Conference (888) and the American Conference (878).
 
The National College Athlete Honor Society, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was founded in 1996. Chi Alpha Sigma works with state chapters of four-year institutions to recognize college student-athletes who excel in their sport, the classroom, and the community. Chi Alpha Sigma is certified by the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) and is a multi-time recipient of GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency.