Fifteen student-athletes, including Christopher Copeland of Suffolk, recently earned academic achievement awards from the Division 2 Athletic Directors Association for the 2011-2012 season.

Copeland is studying sports management at Saint Augustine’s University.

To win an academic achievement award, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, completed a minimum of two years (four semesters) of college level work, and been an active member of an intercollegiate team during his/her last academic year.

A record number of NCAA Division II institutions (118) and student-athletes (4,492) were recognized for the awards. The Academic Achievement Awards is a program that recognizes the academic accomplishments of student-athletes on the Division II level.