Duke’s Eva Pronti Named 2026 ACC Women’s Lacrosse Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Duke redshirt junior Eva Pronti was selected as the 2026 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Women’s Lacrosse Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the league office announced Thursday. This honor recognizes the student-athlete for balancing performance on the field with academic excellence in the classroom.
How the ACC Selects Scholar-Athletes of the Year
The ACC determines its annual Scholar-Athletes of the Year based on a combination of athletic achievement and academic standing. According to the Atlantic Coast Conference, nominees must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average for their career and a 3.0 GPA in the most recent semester. The selection process involves a vote by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors, who weigh the player’s statistical impact during the season against their cumulative academic record.
Eva Pronti earned her spot after a standout season on the lacrosse field and in the classroom. Pronti was also named to the All-ACC Academic Team, which highlights the top performers across the conference’s 15 member institutions.
2026 All-ACC Academic Team Composition
The All-ACC Academic Team includes student-athletes from across the conference who meet rigorous academic and athletic thresholds. The following table highlights the distribution of honorees from the top programs in the league:
| Institution | Notable Honorees |
|---|---|
| Duke | Eva Pronti (Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year) |
| Boston College | |
| North Carolina | Multiple selections based on academic, athletic criteria |
| Syracuse | Multiple selections based on academic, athletic criteria |
Why Academic Recognition Matters in ACC Lacrosse
The ACC maintains some of the highest academic standards in NCAA Division I athletics. By highlighting scholar-athletes, the conference emphasizes the “student” component of the student-athlete model. This recognition serves as a benchmark for programs like Duke, which recruit players expected to perform in high-pressure athletic environments while maintaining full-time course loads at academically demanding universities.
The selection marks a continuation of the ACC’s commitment to gender equity in sports recognition. Since the inception of the award, the conference has consistently highlighted players who serve as leaders both in the locker room and the library. For athletes like Pronti, the award provides professional recognition that extends beyond their collegiate eligibility, often aiding in post-graduate opportunities and career development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to be named to the All-ACC Academic Team?
According to the ACC, players must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average for their career and a 3.0 GPA in the most recent semester to be considered for the All-ACC Academic Team.
How is the Scholar-Athlete of the Year chosen?
The honor is decided through a voting process involving ACC head coaches and sports information directors, who evaluate both on-field performance and cumulative academic success.
Does this award affect NCAA eligibility?
No. This is an internal conference honor and does not impact a player’s eligibility status with the NCAA or their remaining years of athletic competition.