Springfield, Mass. - April 22, 2026 – Kyle Johnson (Sunnyvale, Calif.), a sophomore at Springfield College, was the recipient of the Elite Scholar-Athlete Award – Formally the NCAA Elite 90 – for the 2026 NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball Championship.

The Elite Scholar-Athlete Award, an award founded by the NCAA, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The Elite Scholar-Athlete Award, is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's championships.

Johnson, an accounting major, currently carries a 4.00 GPA and was presented with the award during the NCAA Volleyball Championship Banquet on Thursday evening on the campus of Springfield College. 

This marks the fifth time that a Springfield College student-athlete has ever garnered the prestigious academic accolade. Tim Vollaro was the recipient at the 2013 NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championship, while Tessa Smolinski earned the award in 2011 when she helped lead the women's volleyball program to the Elite 8 in St. Louis, Jon Zirna was the recipient at the 2015 NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championship and Kevin Jasuta was the recipient at the 2017 NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball Championship.

Eligible student-athletes are sophomores or above who have participated in their sport for at least two years with their school. They must be an active member of the team, traveling and a designated member of the squad size at the championship. All ties are broken by the number of credits completed.