5 Shocking Ways Holy Family University Athletics Is Dominating NCAA DII In The 2025-26 Season

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Holy Family University Athletics, home of the Tigers, is currently undergoing a transformative period that is reshaping its competitive landscape within the NCAA Division II and the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). As of December 2025, the Philadelphia-based university is not just focused on on-field performance but is setting new national benchmarks for academic excellence, all while unveiling significant new infrastructure that signals a major commitment to its student-athletes.

This "New Era" for HFU Athletics is defined by a holistic approach, prioritizing the academic success of its student-athletes while strategically investing in state-of-the-art facilities and expanding its competitive offerings, including the burgeoning world of Esports. The combination of elite academic performance, new facilities, and competitive ambition makes the Tigers a compelling program to watch throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. We dive into the five most impactful developments defining this exciting time for the program.

The Academic Dynasty: Holy Family's Unmatched Success in the Classroom

While winning championships is the ultimate goal, Holy Family University (HFU) Athletics has consistently proven that its student-athletes are champions in the classroom first—a fact that has earned them national recognition in the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 cycles. This commitment to the student-athlete experience is a core pillar of the university's mission.

Record-Breaking GPA and Honor Roll Achievements

The academic performance of the Tigers' student-athletes in the 2024-2025 academic year was nothing short of remarkable. The entire Department of Athletics achieved an impressive collective grade point average (GPA) of 3.37. This high standard is reflected across the entire roster of teams, showcasing a culture where academic rigor is not sacrificed for athletic pursuit.

Furthermore, Holy Family led the entire Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) in the Spring 2025 CACC Academic Honor Roll recipients, with a staggering 266 student-athletes earning the distinction. This achievement highlights the sheer depth of academic commitment across all 17 varsity sports programs.

NCAA Presidents' Award for Academic Excellence

The university’s dedication to academic success has been formally recognized at the highest level of NCAA Division II. HFU Athletics earned the prestigious 2024 NCAA Division II Presidents' Award for Academic Excellence. This award is a testament to the department's high Academic Success Rate (ASR).

  • National Ranking: Holy Family University ranked tied for 15th out of 313 Division II institutions nationwide.
  • Academic Success Rate (ASR): The Tigers achieved an ASR of 92 percent in the most recent cohort.
  • Perfect Scores: Four HFU teams—Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Women's Lacrosse, and Volleyball—notably achieved a perfect ASR of 100, a truly exceptional feat.

The Dawn of a New Era: The Metz Family Fieldhouse and Infrastructure Investment

A "New Era" for HFU Athletics is being physically realized with the opening of the state-of-the-art Metz Family Fieldhouse. This significant infrastructure investment underscores the university's commitment to providing its student-athletes with modern, high-quality training and competition facilities, which is crucial for recruiting and performance in the competitive CACC landscape.

The Fieldhouse is more than just a building; it represents a renewed dedication to the growth and future success of the entire athletics program. This facility will serve as a hub for training, team meetings, and potentially hosting events, directly benefiting teams like Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, and Volleyball, while also supporting the strength and conditioning needs of all Tigers athletes.

2025-2026 Team Previews: Key Sports to Watch

With a foundation of academic excellence and new facilities, the focus now shifts to competitive performance. Several Holy Family teams are gearing up for their 2025-2026 campaigns, with schedules already being released for key sports.

Men's Basketball Outlook

The Men's Basketball team, which achieved a perfect 100 ASR, will be looking to translate that academic focus into CACC wins. The Tigers were voted 11th in the 2025-2026 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Men's Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll. Despite a mid-table prediction, the team has shown flashes of brilliance, including a recent 84-65 win at Roberts Wesleyan. The 2025-2026 schedule is officially released, signaling a challenging but promising season ahead for the squad.

The Rise of Men's Soccer and Cross Country

The 2025 Men's Soccer schedule is also set, with the team preparing for a demanding slate of CACC and non-conference matchups. Similarly, the Men's Cross Country team has its 2025 schedule finalized, with the runners preparing for fall competitions. These teams, along with others, contributed to the men's programs finishing 11th in the final 2024-2025 CACC Restaino Cup standings, a measure of overall athletic excellence across all sports.

Embracing the Future: Holy Family's Strategic Expansion into Esports

In a forward-thinking move that recognizes the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, Holy Family University has fully embraced ESPORTS as a competitive varsity program. The official 2025-2026 ESPORTS schedule has been released, demonstrating a strong commitment to this modern, rapidly growing discipline. This expansion not only attracts a new demographic of student-athletes but also positions HFU as an innovator within the CACC, offering a diverse array of competitive outlets beyond traditional sports.

The inclusion of Esports aligns perfectly with the university's academic strengths, as competitive gaming requires strategic thinking, teamwork, and technical skill, qualities often nurtured in a rigorous academic environment. This program is a testament to Holy Family's commitment to staying current and relevant in the 21st-century collegiate experience.

Topical Authority: Key Entities Defining HFU Athletics

To fully understand the scope and impact of Holy Family University Athletics, it is essential to be familiar with the key entities that shape its operations, competition, and success. These entities provide the framework for the Tigers' identity as an NCAA Division II institution.

Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC)

Holy Family University competes in the CACC, a premier NCAA Division II conference. The CACC is the primary league for all of HFU's traditional varsity sports, including Men's Basketball, Women's Soccer, and Women's Lacrosse. Performance within this conference determines eligibility for the CACC Championship tournaments and subsequent NCAA regional bids.

NCAA Division II

HFU is a proud member of NCAA Division II, emphasizing a balance between academics and athletics. The Division II philosophy, which focuses on community engagement and a well-rounded student-athlete experience, is strongly reflected in Holy Family's record-setting GPA and ASR achievements.

The HFU Tigers Mascot

The "Tigers" mascot represents the competitive spirit and fierce determination of all Holy Family teams. The mascot is a unifying symbol for the entire athletics community, from the student section to the alumni.

D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award

The Division 2 Athletic Directors Association (D2 ADA) Academic Achievement Award is another key metric of success. Holy Family student-athletes consistently receive this award, with 60 individuals earning the honor in the 2023-2024 cycle alone, underscoring the consistent high academic performance over multiple years.

Restaino Cup

The Restaino Cup is the CACC's annual award for overall athletic excellence. HFU's final 11th-place finish in the 2024-2025 men's standings is a benchmark for the teams to improve upon in the 2025-2026 season, driving competitive ambition across all men's programs.

The combination of new facilities like the Metz Family Fieldhouse, the strategic growth of programs like Esports, and an ironclad commitment to academic excellence ensures that Holy Family University Athletics is not just participating in NCAA Division II, but is actively setting the standard for what a successful student-athlete program should look like in the mid-2020s. The Tigers are poised for a truly exciting and potentially breakout 2025-2026 season.

holy family university athletics
holy family university athletics

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