Cleveland, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference (MAC) announced today the presentation of the Dr. Carol A. Cartwright Award to the University of Toledo for its program excellence in academics, athletics and citizenship during the 2022-23 school year. This marks the second consecutive season that the Rockets have won the prestigious award. 

"The Cartwright Award celebrates overall excellence by a member institution athletics department," said Dr. Jon Steinbrecher, Mid-American Conference Commissioner. "The award provides an opportunity for the membership to recognize a peer for this prestigious award for academic achievement, athletics success, and civic engagement. I commend the University of Toledo, its student-athletes, coaches and administrators and the entire institution for being selected for this honor."

The Cartwright Award is an institutional award presented annually to one university in the MAC. A committee with representation from all 12 institutions selected the Cartwright Award winner from nominations submitted based upon the criteria of excellence in academics, athletics and citizenship.  The award began in 2008-09 and this is the third time the University of Toledo has received this honor. Toledo competes in 16 varsity sports and supports more than 400 student-athletes.

“A huge congratulations to our student-athletes and coaching staff for making history winning back-to back Cartwright Awards in recognition of your successes on the playing field, in the classroom and by giving back to our community,” said University of Toledo President Gregory Postel. “Rocket Athletics is an important part of our University and we are proud to have such strong ambassadors for the University of Toledo earning multiple MAC titles and setting records for high grade point averages.”
 

The 2022-23 athletic season was a historic one for the University of Toledo as the Rockets claimed their second consecutive Reese Trophy, awarded annually to the top men’s athletic program in the MAC. The Rocket men won a MAC regular season championship title in men's basketball and claimed a share of the title in tennis. The Rockets recorded a second place finish in cross country and placed third at the men's golf championship. The football team tied for fourth during the regular season before going on to win the MAC Football Championship title. 

The Rocket women also had a successful year, winning the MAC titles in cross country and basketball as the Rockets finished fourth in the Jacoby Trophy race. The women’s basketball team advanced to the NCAA Tournament, defeating No. 5 seed and Big 12 champion Iowa State in the first round.
 

In the classroom, Toledo won the MAC Institutional Academic Award for the highest overall grade point average in the conference (3.437 GPA).  In addition, Rocket student-athletes volunteered for over 1,100 hours of community service, working with children at the Boys & Girls Club, the Ronald McDonald House, area elementary schools, sports clinics, among many others.

“Winning the Cartwright Award for the second consecutive year is a validation of the commitment to excellence of our entire university – student-athletes, coaches, faculty and staff,” said Toledo Vice President and Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair. “We are always striving for success in academics, athletics and citizenship, so to be recognized as the best in the Mid-American Conference for the second straight year is truly rewarding. Our goal now is to challenge ourselves to reach even greater heights in the future.” 

 
The Cartwright Award is named in honor of Dr. Carol A. Cartwright, one of the most highly respected voices in higher education. Dr. Cartwright served as the President of Kent State University from 1991-2006 and President of Bowling Green from 2008-2011.  Dr. Cartwright previously was the vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of California at Davis and dean for undergraduate programs and vice provost at the Pennsylvania State University.  She has served on the NCAA Board of Directors and is a member of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.