Student athletes from Mississippi's public, private, two-year and four-year postsecondary institutions were recognized for their achievements in the classroom at the annual Education Achievement Council Meeting (EAC), held on October 20, 2025. The program recognizes colleges and universities that achieve and maintain high academic standards for student athletes, thus encouraging high graduation rates. The award was endowed by former Mississippi Representative David Halbrook Sr. and his brothers in honor of their parents.
Dr. Casey Prestwood, associate commissioner for academic and student affairs with Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) announced the awards for the 2024-2025 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:
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Community College Women’s Division:
- Jones College and Northwest Mississippi Community College (Tie)
- Independent College and University Men’s Division:
- Mississippi College
- Independent College and University Women’s Division:
- Mississippi College
- 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 Mississippi State University.
The David M. Halbrook Certificate for Academic Achievement Among Athletes recognizes the efforts of individual student athletes who excel in academics, leadership, and service. Each college or university selected a male and female student athlete to receive this recognition.
| DAVID M. HALBROOK CERTIFICATE AWARD FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AMONG ATHLETES Public University Division | ||
| Institution | Male Recipient | Female Recipient |
| Delta State University | Brett Burrell | Robyn Moody |
| Jackson State University | JaCobian Morgan | Karys Dove |
| Mississippi State University | Aaron Downs | Raelin Chaffin |
| Mississippi University for Women | Landon Clark | Rylie Grisham |
| Mississippi Valley State University | Malik Kemp | Madison Conley |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Tucker Stockman | Taylor Trible |
| Independent College and University Division | ||
| Institution | Male Recipient | Female Recipient |
| Belhaven University | Jonathan Lucas | Ashaunti Barnes |
| Millsaps College | Brian Sullivan | Camille Fremaux |
| Mississippi College | Braedon Methvin | Shelby Samples |
| William Carey University | Chase Guillot | Jenna Garriga |
| Community College Division | ||
| Institution | Male Recipient | Female Recipient |
| Coahoma Community College | Gregory Neely, III | Halie Barrett |
| Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Rhea Willsey | Carson Hughey |
| East Mississippi Community College | Trace Beard | Kylah Bell |
| Hinds Community College | Jackson Collins | Shelby Allen |
| Holmes Community College | Cole Moudy | Bella Parker Roberts |
| Itawamba Community College | Dylan Rowsey | Lauren Brown |
| Jones College | Sebastian Nowak | Caroline Wilson |
| Meridian Community College | Bruce McClung | Holly Gilles |
| Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | Joseph Bradford | Kendall Burn |
| Northeast Mississippi Community College | Parker Hall | Allie Gillespie |
| Pearl River Community College | Andrew Hansen | Anna Kate Rounsaville |
| Southwest Mississippi Community College | Daillon Kryzanowski | Abby Davis |
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.
