Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Athletics

TROY, N.Y. – Over the past seven academic years, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) ranks fourth in the entire nation and second in Division III in the number of student-athletes chosen for CoSIDA National Academic All-America honors. From 2000-01 to 2007-08, Rensselaer has produced 56 National Academic All-Americans.

The University of Nebraska and the University of Notre Dame have had the most CoSIDA National Academic All-Americans over the past seven years with 76 apiece. Emory University, a Division III school, is third with 67, followed by Rensselaer’s 56 and Pennsylvania State University, which has had 52.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with 49 recipients and Calvin College with 45 – both Division III schools – rank sixth and seventh, respectively. Four schools are tied for eighth with 43 apiece.

By individual sport, Rensselaer is fifth overall and second among Division III schools with 10 men’s track & field/cross country recipients since 2000-01. Calvin has the most with 13, followed by the University of Oregon and North Dakota State (12 each) and Notre Dame (11). RPI, which is coached by Colin Tory, is one of four schools, including two Division III colleges, with 10 recipients.

The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) selects Academic All-America teams in 12 programs: football, women’s volleyball, men's soccer, women's soccer, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s track & field/cross country, women’s track & field/cross country, men’s at-large and women’s at-large. A first team, second team and third team are selected in both the University (Division I and I-AA) and College (Division II, III and NAIA) Divisions. Football consists of just first and second teams.

There are 1,067 schools at all levels of the NCAA, including 330 in Division I, 293 in Division II and 444 in Division III. In the NAIA, there are 284 member institutions. 

CoSIDA National Academic All-Americans since 2000-01
1. University of Nebraska (Division I): 76
1. University of Notre Dame (Division I): 76
3. Emory University (Division III): 67
4. RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE (Division III): 56
5. Pennsylvania State University (Division I): 52
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Division III): 49
7. Calvin College (Division III): 45
8. University of Alabama (Division I): 43
8. Gustavus Adolphus College (Division III): 43
8. Nebraska Wesleyan University (Division III): 43
8. North Dakota State University (Division I*): 43
12. Pittsburg State University (Division II): 42
12. The University of Tennessee (Division I): 42
14. Truman State University (Division II): 41
15. University of St. Thomas (Division III): 40
* - Reclassified from Division II to Division I in 2004-05.

Men’s Track & Field CoSIDA National Academic All-Americans since 2000-01
1. Calvin College (Division III): 13
2. University of Oregon (Division I): 12
2. North Dakota State University (Division I*): 12
4. University of Notre Dame (Division I): 11
5. Augustana College (Ill.) (Division III): 10
5. Adams State College (Division II): 10
5. Nebraska Wesleyan University (Division III): 10
5. RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE (Division III): 10
9. University of Wisconsin (Division I): 9
10. Florida State University (Division I): 8
* - Reclassified from Division II to Division I in 2004-05.