MECHANICSBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. (PIAA), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), is proud to announce the selection of the inaugural 2026 PHEAA/PIAA All-Academic Athletic Teams.

 
This new initiative recognizes outstanding senior student-athletes from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who have demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership within their schools and communities. One male and one female student-athlete from each of the 12 PIAA Districts have been selected, totaling 24 honorees statewide.
 
Each recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship to support their post-secondary education, along with commemorative recognition items. The program reflects a shared commitment by PIAA and PHEAA to celebrate well-rounded student-athlete achievement and to support future educational pursuits.
 
“This inaugural class of student-athletes represents the very best of what interscholastic athletics can offer,” said Mark Byers, Executive Director of PIAA. “Their dedication in the classroom, their commitment to their teams, and their leadership within their communities exemplify the true meaning of being a student-athlete. We are honored to celebrate their accomplishments through this partnership with PHEAA.”
 
“This scholarship program is a great way to ensure students are aware that PHEAA is here to help them find an affordable path to higher education,” said James Steeley, PHEAA President & CEO. “At the same time, it allows us to give these exceptional young athletes the recognition they deserve for excelling in both academics and athletics. The amount of organization, dedication, and perseverance required to achieve that is outstanding.”
 
Nominated by their school administration, selection to the All-Academic Athletic Team is based on a rigorous set of criteria, including a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.60, preferred participation in multiple interscholastic sports, and demonstrated leadership in both their school and community.
 
“The PIAA is committed to developing student-athletes who succeed beyond the competition surface,” said Frank Majikes, President of PIAA. “This program and these student-athletes exemplify the value of discipline, integrity, and perseverance. This recognition honors not only their accomplishments, but also the example they set for others in their District and across the Commonwealth. We are proud to recognize and support their continued success.”
 
“We’re proud to award the first ever PHEAA/PIAA All-Academic Athletic Team Scholarships,” said Senator Wayne Fontana, Chairman of the PHEAA Board of Directors. “We established this scholarship award in conjunction with the PIAA to promote and encourage postsecondary education while also recognizing and honoring the hard work and dedication of our most accomplished multi-sport student-athletes.”
 

Of the 193 nominees, PIAA and PHEAA congratulate the following student-athletes on this distinguished honor:
 

 For more information about the PHEAA/PIAA All-Academic Athletic Team, please visit www.PIAA.org or www.pheaa.org/piaa-scholarship-winners.

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About PIAA:
Beginning in Pittsburgh, on December 29, 1913, PIAA was given the privilege of serving its member schools and registered officials by establishing policies and adopting contest rules that emphasize the educational values of interscholastic athletics, promote safe and sportsmanlike competition and provide uniform standards for all interscholastic levels of competition.

About PHEAA:
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) was created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1963 to provide affordable access to higher education for PA students and families. Through the years, PHEAA has evolved into one of the nation’s leading providers of student financial aid services, including the Commonwealth’s first state-based student loan program—PA Forward Student Loans. PHEAA also serves millions of students through its loan guaranty, loan servicing, financial aid processing, and other programs. PHEAA conducts student loan servicing operations nationally as American Education Services (AES).

Media Contacts:
Keenan Huss
PIAA, Director of Operations & Sport
Media@piaa.org

Bethany Yenner
PHEAA,Vice President of Public Relations, Communications, & Marketing
Press@pheaa.org