11 Tigers Earn NFCA Scholar-Athlete Honors After Historic Season
It’s easy to get caught up in the wins, the championships, and the postseason magic. But for Clemson Softball, the 2025 season was about more than just racking up victories. It was also about proving that success in the classroom is just as important as success on the field.
On Thursday, 11 Tigers were named Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes, continuing a now five-year tradition of academic excellence. For a team that just wrapped up one of the best seasons in program history, the recognition felt like the perfect cherry on top.
More Than Just Athletes
Among the 11 honorees were veterans like Brooke McCubbin, Jadeyn Ruszkowski, and Aby Vieira, who all earned the honor for the third time in their Clemson careers. That kind of consistency speaks volumes, not only about who they are as individuals, but about the culture inside the program.
Olivia Duncan and Julia Knowler each picked up their second selection, while six Tigers—Reese Basinger, Jamison Brockenbrough, Madi Lardizabal, Brook Melnychuk, and Taylor Pipkins—joined the list for the first time.
To earn the honor, each student-athlete had to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the 2024–25 academic year. It’s no small feat, especially when you’re juggling classes, travel, workouts, practices, and game days.
And Clemson didn’t just thrive individually—collectively, the Tigers landed in the top 100 Division I programs in team GPA. That’s not just winning on the field. That’s winning everywhere.
A Season to Remember
The academic accolades cap off what was truly a special year for Clemson Softball. The Tigers finished 48-14, dominated the ACC with a 19-5 conference record, and brought home an ACC Championship. For the fifth straight year, they punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament, and for the first time ever, they pushed through to win a Super Regional.
The best part? So many of the players who helped make that postseason run possible were also the ones being recognized this week for their academic efforts. That balance of brain and performance is what sets Clemson apart.
Eyes on 2026
Looking ahead, the Tigers return 13 players from this past season, including five of the 11 academic honorees. That’s a solid foundation, both on the stat sheet and on the class roster. With the experience, leadership, and drive that’s already been built, there’s plenty of reason to believe Clemson will be right back in the spotlight next spring.
Coach John Rittman and his staff have always emphasized the “student” in “student-athlete,” and it’s clear that message is sticking. At Clemson, the standard is high and these Tigers are proving time and time again they’re more than capable of meeting it.
