CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 12, 2026) — Fayetteville State University continued its tradition of academic and athletic excellence during the 2025–26 academic year, earning multiple prestigious honors at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Membership Awards Luncheon, as announced by the conference Tuesday.
Among the highlights, Director of Athletics Anthony T. Bennett was named CIAA Athletic Director of the Year, Associate Athletics Director for Compliance Deron Norwood earned CIAA Compliance Director of the Year, and Faith Kiplimo was selected as the CIAA Female Scholar‑Athlete of the Year. Additionally, Fayetteville State claimed the Loretta Taylor Women's All‑Sports Award for the fifth consecutive year.
The CIAA Membership Awards recognize outstanding achievements by student‑athletes, coaches, administrators, and institutions, celebrating excellence in academics, competitive success, leadership, and service.
Faith Kiplimo exemplifies the definition of a scholar‑athlete, combining elite academic achievement with championship‑level athletic performance. A nursing major, Kiplimo earned a perfect grade point average, demonstrating exceptional discipline, time management, and commitment in one of the University's most rigorous academic programs.
On the course and track, Kiplimo emerged as one of the CIAA's premier distance runners. She captured the CIAA Cross Country Championship individual title and delivered a historic performance at the CIAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, winning the 800 meters, mile, 3,000 meters, and anchoring the distance medley relay. She added a women's 5,000‑meter title at the CIAA Outdoor Championships, earning CIAA Indoor Championship Running MVP and CIAA Female Track Athlete of the Year honors for cross country and indoor track. Kiplimo represented Fayetteville State at the NCAA Division II Cross Country and Indoor Track & Field Championships.
Fayetteville State once again secured the Loretta Taylor Women's All‑Sports Award, presented to the conference's top women's athletics program based on a championship point system. During the 2025–26 season, the Broncos won conference championships in cross country, volleyball, indoor track & field, and bowling, finished runner‑up in women's basketball, and placed third at the outdoor track & field championship.
Associate Athletics Director for Compliance Deron Norwood was honored as the 2026 CIAA Compliance Director of the Year. Currently serving as President of the CIAA Compliance Directors Association, Norwood is a respected leader and mentor within the profession. He actively contributes to NAAC and CIAA committees, presents at professional conferences, and supports the development of emerging compliance professionals. At Fayetteville State, he oversees compliance operations for more than 240 student‑athletes and 21 coaches.
Endorsed by BSN SPORTS, Anthony T. Bennett was named CIAA Athletic Director of the Year for excellence in leadership, competitive success, and student‑athlete achievement. Under Bennett's leadership, Fayetteville State posted historic academic success, producing departmental GPAs of 3.42 in the spring and 3.33 in the fall, with every program earning a 3.0 or higher semester GPA.
"These honors reflect the collective commitment of our student‑athletes, coaches, administrators, and campus partners," Bennett said. "We take great pride in representing Fayetteville State University with excellence in competition, in the classroom, and in the community."
The CIAA also announced the recipients of the 2026 CIAA Post Graduate Scholarships, awarded to graduating student‑athletes pursuing advanced degrees in athletics, sports administration, sports medicine, and media relations. Jade Holiday of Fayetteville State University was selected as a recipient of the Eric Moore Postgraduate Scholarship, awarded in collaboration with the McLendon Foundation, further highlighting the University's commitment to academic achievement and post‑graduation success.
During the 2025–26 academic year, Fayetteville State captured seven conference championships, earned multiple divisional titles, and collected numerous individual accolades, including five CIAA Athletes of the Year and four Coaches of the Year honors.
Fayetteville State's continued recognition at the conference level underscores the University's holistic approach to student‑athlete development—one that emphasizes academic accountability, leadership growth, and community engagement while competing at a championship level.
The CIAA Membership Awards Luncheon is held annually as part of the conference's official business meetings and represents one of the league's highest honors. Fayetteville State's strong presence among this year's award recipients affirms a highly successful 2025–26 academic year and sets a strong foundation for the future.
For more information on Fayetteville State University Athletics, visit FSUBroncos.com.
