As part of the NSIC's 25th Anniversary celebration, the conference unveiled the Elite 18 Award during the 2016-17 academic year.  The NSIC Elite 18 Award recognizes outstanding student-athletes in the conference.  These student-athletes have achieved at the championship level in the classroom and in their sport.  The NSIC Elite 18 Award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average in each sponsored sport according to the criteria at bottom of this page.

NSIC Elite 18 Award Winners 2021-22

NSIC Elite 18 Award Winners 2020-21

NSIC Elite 18 Award Winners 2019-20

NSIC Elite 18 Award Winners 2018-19

NSIC Elite 18 Award Winners 2017-18

NSIC Elite 18 Award Winners 2016-17

Selection Criteria

1. Academically the student-athlete has achieved at least a sophomore status as defined by his or her own institution.
2. Athletically the student-athlete is in his or her second year of competition at his or her current institution.
3. Athletically the student-athlete is an active member on the roster and a member of the designated squad size for the sport at the championship site.
4. A student-athlete may win the award only once per academic year even if she or he participates in more than one sport.
5. Grade point average is based on the cumulative undergraduate grade point average at the time of nomination as calculated by each institution. Grade point average calculations will be based on a 4.00 scale and will be reported to two decimal places. Graduate students are eligible, based on their undergraduate GPA.
6. In the event of a tie based on grade point average, the award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest total number of credit hours earned.
7. If a tie still exists after looking at the total number of credit hours earned, all student-athletes who are tied shall be presented with the NSIC Elite 18 Award.
    

The following table indicates who is eligible for the NSIC Elite 18 Award.  For team oriented sports, student-athletes who are an active member of roster and a member of the designated squad size for the sport at the conference tournament site will be eligible for the award.  For individual sports, student-athletes who participate at the conference meet will be eligible for the award.  For football, student-athletes who are members of the North Division Champion team(s), the South Division Champion team(s) and Overall Conference Championship team(s) are eligible.  For wrestling, student-athletes who are members of the Overall Conference Championship team(s) and those named to first or second team all-conference are eligible.  Each institution is limited to one nomination per sport. Affiliate members are eligible for the NSIC Elite 18 Award.