Four Mountaineers Earn NABC Honors Court Recognition as Mount St. Mary’s Continues Tradition of Academic Excellence
EMMITSBURG, Md. — Championships and postseason appearances often define a basketball program, but the most successful teams also pride themselves on developing leaders away from the court. Mount St. Mary’s men’s basketball demonstrated that commitment once again as Xavier Lipscomb, John Miller IV, Patrick Haigh, and Mason So were named to the 2025-26 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court.
The recognition honors student-athletes who have excelled academically while competing at the NCAA level. To qualify, players must be academically classified as juniors, seniors, or graduate students and maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.2.
The honors did not stop there. Mount St. Mary’s also earned the 2025-26 NABC Team Academic Excellence Award, presented annually to programs that finish the academic year with a cumulative team GPA of 3.0 or higher. The achievement reflects the commitment of the entire roster, coaching staff, faculty, and academic support personnel to excellence beyond basketball.
For a program that has built momentum both on and off the court, the awards reinforce the culture head coach Donny Lind has continued to establish in Emmitsburg.
Veteran Leadership Sets the Standard
Graduate guard Xavier Lipscomb has become one of the program’s respected veterans. Throughout his collegiate career, Lipscomb has demonstrated leadership, maturity, and a commitment to representing Mount St. Mary’s with pride. Balancing graduate-level coursework while remaining active within a Division I basketball program requires remarkable discipline, making this recognition especially meaningful.
Joining him is fellow graduate guard John Miller IV, another experienced leader whose work ethic has helped set the standard for younger players. Miller’s ability to balance academics with the demanding schedule of Division I athletics reflects the dedication necessary to earn one of college basketball’s most prestigious academic honors.
The Future is Bright
The Mount’s future is equally well represented by junior guards Patrick Haigh and Mason So.
Haigh has embraced the responsibilities of being both a student and an athlete, proving that success in the classroom can accompany success on the basketball court. His selection to the Honors Court highlights his consistency and commitment throughout the academic year.
So also earned recognition after maintaining the academic standards required by the NABC. His achievement demonstrates the maturity and discipline expected within one of the MAAC’s premier basketball programs.
Together, the four honorees represent different stages of their collegiate careers, but they share one common trait: a commitment to excellence that extends far beyond game day.
More Than Basketball
Division I basketball is a year-round commitment.
Players spend countless hours attending classes, completing assignments, participating in practices, lifting weights, studying film, traveling across the country, and competing against high-level opponents. Time away from campus during the season makes staying on top of coursework even more challenging.
Maintaining at least a 3.2 GPA under those circumstances is a significant accomplishment and speaks to the character of the student-athletes honored by the NABC.
The Team Academic Excellence Award further illustrates that academic success is not limited to a handful of players. Instead, it reflects a program-wide commitment to education and personal growth.
Building the Mount Culture
Since arriving at Mount St. Mary’s, Donny Lind has emphasized developing complete student-athletes. Winning basketball games remains the goal, but preparing players for life after college is equally important.
Academic recognition such as the Honors Court helps demonstrate that philosophy is producing results.
Whether these players pursue professional basketball, graduate school, coaching, business, or another career path, the habits that earned them this recognition—discipline, accountability, organization, and perseverance—will continue to serve them well.
The Mount’s ability to consistently produce academically successful student-athletes also strengthens the university’s reputation throughout the MAAC and across Division I athletics.
Why Academic Awards Matter
Academic honors rarely receive the attention of buzzer-beaters, conference championships, or NCAA Tournament appearances, but they represent one of the true missions of college athletics.
Student-athletes are students first. Their degrees and educational experiences create opportunities that last long after their playing careers end.
The NABC Honors Court celebrates those who refuse to compromise either pursuit.
For Mount St. Mary’s, having four players recognized while the program also earned a Team Academic Excellence Award is a testament to the environment that has been created throughout the basketball program.
MSB Take
Maryland Sports Blog has always believed the best stories are not limited to the scoreboard.
The recognition of Xavier Lipscomb, John Miller IV, Patrick Haigh, and Mason So reminds fans that college athletics are about much more than wins and losses. These four Mountaineers have demonstrated outstanding discipline by succeeding in the classroom while competing at one of the highest levels of college basketball.
The additional NABC Team Academic Excellence Award makes the accomplishment even more impressive. It shows that academic success is embedded throughout the Mount St. Mary’s men’s basketball program.
As the Mountaineers prepare for another season, these honors provide another reason for fans to be proud. Championships create memories, but academic excellence creates opportunities that last a lifetime.
