CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2 CCA) announced its Scholar-Athlete of the Year award winners for the 2025-26 year on Wednesday. Former Minnesota State Moorhead quarterback
Jack Strand earned the distinct honor alongside Nova Southeastern's Kristyna Hranacova (tennis).
Excelling academically, athletically, and in leadership roles on and off the field are a staple of Division II, and Hranacova and Strand exemplify the highest standards of what it means to be student-athletes.
Strand walks away from his collegiate career as one of the winningest passers in Northern Sun (NSIC) history and recently signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent; while Hranacova helped Nova Southeastern to its second national championship in three seasons, sitting atop the national rankings in singles and doubles at the same time – something no one had done since 2000.
"Jack and Kristyna led in their respective sports, while also matching their competitive edge in the classroom with 3.87 and 3.98 GPAs, respectively," said Kris Dunbar, Commissioner of the GLIAC and President of the D2 CCA. "We wish Jack nothing but the best on his NFL journey and look forward to Kristyna's upcoming year on the court."
Jack Strand, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Strand, a senior engineering physics major, led the NSIC in passing yards (3,546) and total offense (3,834), set a school record with 42 passing touchdowns, and accounted for 47 total touchdowns, earning NSIC Offensive Player of the Year honors for the second time, multiple All-America selections, and a fourth-place finish in Harlon Hill Trophy voting. He finishes his career as the NSIC's all-time leader in completions (1,147), passing yards (12,134), and passing touchdowns (115), ranking among the top 10 in NCAA Division II history in multiple passing categories.
Academically, Strand was named to the 2025 National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Class and was one of just 16 finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy — the "Academic Heisman" — out of a national pool of 180 semifinalists, earning an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. He was also named the 2025 CSC Academic All-America® Team Member of the Year for Division II football, a CSC Academic All-America® First Team honoree, a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection, and a three-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence honoree. He also received the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award and was an NCAA Division II 50th Anniversary Scholarship recipient.
A two-year team captain, Strand has been active in campus ministry and Bible study groups and has volunteered with Make-A-Wish, Feed My Starving Children, and youth football programs.
About D2 CCA: Initiated in 1992 to promote its member conferences and institutions, D2 CCA has made its mark in providing a united front for NCAA Division II athletics. Created after the break-up of the College Division Commissioners Association, the D2 CCA continues to create lines of communication and opportunities for its member conferences. The D2 CCA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 61st year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.
