University of South Dakota Athletics

The Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship awarded by the NCAA, with a renewable value of $24,000. The scholarship is awarded annually to one male and one female student-athlete in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and potential for future success.

Since the NCAA began awarding postgraduate scholarships to student athletes in 1964, the University of South Dakota has had 36 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipients and two alternates for a total of 38.

The Academic All-America program was created in 1952 by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) to honor college athletes who excel not just in sports, but also in academics. Each year, CoSIDA names over 800 student-athletes in 12 programs: football, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's track & field/cross country, women's track & field/cross country, women's volleyball, men's soccer, women's soccer, baseball, softball, men's at-large and women's at-large.

South Dakota has 59 Academic All-Americans in school history who have combined to earn 75 Academic All-America honors.

The Summit League Scholar Athlete of the Year is the most prestigious individual award given by the league each season, recognizing student-athletes for their outstanding academic achievements, athletic achievements, attitude and leadership throughout the year. South Dakota became the first institution in league history to sweep the men's and women's award in the 2023-24 academic year.

The Summit League Scholar of the Championship is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at each of the Summit League's 19 championships. Each institution that is participating in a Summit League Championship is eligible to submit one nominee for the Scholar of the Championship award. The award was created ahead of the 2022-23 academic year.