COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The National Wheelchair Basketball Association and the Junior Division Executive Committee are proud to announce that the Junior Division is now accepting applications for the 2024 Timothy J. Nugent High School Academic All-America Teams and the 2024 Timothy J. Nugent Academic Achievers Program. The deadline to submit applications for the 2024 Timothy J. Nugent Academic All-America Team and Academic Achiever Program is 11:59 p.m. Central time on Friday, March 15.

The Timothy J. Nugent High School Academic All-America Team recognizes athletes 10th through 12th grade, while the Academic Achievers award honors and promotes academic excellence for student-athletes who are currently enrolled in grades 5-9.

The NWBA Junior Division academic recognitions are in memory of our dedicated and visionary founder, Dr. Timothy J. Nugent. Dr. Nugent had the courage to start the NWBA to provide more opportunities for people with disabilities. Dr. Nugent cared way more about societal wins than court wins. Dr. Nugent realized education was the number one tool to improve a person's place in society. The Junior Division remembers Dr. Nugent by pushing the next generation of leaders toward the power of education.

The theme of this year's awards is: Since 1948, the NWBA has offered countless opportunities for people with disabilities. Many NWBA athletes begin playing at a young age and play for many years, often across multiple divisions. Many athletes serve various roles in the NWBA throughout their lives - player, coach, committee member, and on. This year, we want athletes to reflect on their experiences in the NWBA and what they want to say to future generations. Imagine you're communicating with young wheelchair basketball players 10, 20, or 30 years from now. What would you like these young players to know? What advice would you like to pass along?

Please note that the Academic Achievers and Academic All-America Teams are national programs for the entire Junior Division (and applicable athletes of the Adult Division). Individual conferences may have their own academic award programs unrelated to these awards for national recognition.

Please submit all applications and questions for the Academic All-America Teams and Academic Achievers Program to Emily Hoskins by email at emilyhoskins6@gmail.com or Lisa Elliston at jrdprez@gmail.com. 

More information is available by visiting https://www.nwba.org/juniordivision and scrolling down to click on the "academic awards" tab.