As part of the NSIC's 25th Anniversary celebration, the conference unveiled the Elite 18 Award during the 2016-17 academic year. The NSIC Elite 18 Award recognizes outstanding student-athletes in the conference. These student-athletes have achieved at the championship level in the classroom and in their sport. The NSIC Elite 18 Award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average in each sponsored sport according to the criteria at bottom of this page.