JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (May 29, 2026) – The University of North Alabama was well-represented on Thursday at the Atlantic Sun Conference Annual Awards and Hall of Fame Banquet, bringing back four pieces of hardware from Jacksonville, Fla.
 
For the first time since moving to Division I in 2018, UNA was recognized as having the ASUN's highest overall Academic Progress Rate (APR). Additionally, UNA also won the most improved APR award.
 
APR is a real-time tracking metric created by the NCAA to measure the academic success, eligibility and retention of Division I student-athletes. The highest possible APR score is 1000, meaning every eligible student-athlete remained in school and were academically eligible for the year.
 
UNA finished with an APR of 995, which was a 19-point improvement from the previous season. Within the department, 11 of the 14 programs turned in a perfect 1000.
 
"Receiving recognition from the ASUN for both the highest overall Academic Progress Rate and the most improved over the past year is a testament to the discipline, determination and work ethic of our student-athletes, along the unwavering support and commitment of our university, faculty, staff, and coaches," said Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Success Sherry Kennemer.
 
The Lions celebrated another major "first" on Thursday as former women's basketball standout Ivy Wallen Murks was inducted into the ASUN Hall of Fame. She was one of four inductees alongside Lipscomb's Madi Talbert Artz, FGCU's Whitney Knight and North Florida's Dallas Moore. Wallen is the first inductee into the ASUN Hall of Fame from North Alabama.
 
Wallen is the all-time leading scorer for North Alabama with 1,762 career points. She began her career in 2016 and guided the Lions through the final two years at the Division II level and into the first two years of the Division I transition. During her time with the program, UNA finished with an 85-33 record over four seasons with three 20-win seasons.
 
The night ended with a special recognition for UNA Director of Athletics Dr. Josh Looney as a recipient of the 2025-26 NACDA Athletics Director of the Year award for FCS Division I.
 
"The ASUN Annual Awards banquet is a tremendous celebration of the people who make collegiate athletics special, and we are incredibly proud of how North Alabama was represented," said Looney. "Earning the league's highest overall APR award speaks to the daily commitment of our student-athletes, coaches, academic staff and campus leadership who prioritize excellence in the classroom. It was also especially meaningful to celebrate Ivy Wallen's Hall of Fame induction, as her accomplishments continue to represent the standard of excellence and legacy we strive for at UNA. Moments like these speak to the strength of our community and the people who make it so special."
 
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