Virginia Union University's athletic programs have earned a record-setting five Dr. Freddie Vaughn Awards for having the highest team grade point averages in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) during the 2024–25 academic year, the CIAA announced on Monday, June 23.

VUU claimed the top academic honors in Men's Cross-Country, Football, Men's Basketball, Golf, and Tennis, marking the highest number of Dr. Freddie Vaughn Awards ever received in a single year by the Panther Athletic Program.

"Virginia Union University has a long and rich history of academic excellence," said VUU Head Golf Coach and Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Academic Support. "As indicated by this year's number of teams that received the 2024–25 CIAA Dr. Freddie Vaughn Highest Academic Awards, our student-athletes continue to excel not only in their sports but also in the classroom. We have a motto at Virginia Union University: 'students first, athletes second.'"

The Dr. Freddie Vaughn Awards are presented annually to CIAA athletic programs that demonstrate the highest academic achievement. VUU's historic performance underscores the university's commitment to fostering both athletic and academic success among its student-athletes.