SALEM, VA. - The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) and the Rotary Club of Salem, Virginia have announced the 22 total finalists for the Jostens Trophy honors. Sarah Lawrence senior Braden Burman was named a finalist for the honor along with 10 other Division III men's basketball players across the nation.

The Jostens Trophy honors - one for men's basketball and one for women's basketball - are national awards created by the Rotary Club of Salem and sponsored by Jostens, Inc., to recognize the most outstanding men's and women's Division III basketball players of the year. The awards focus on three major criteria: basketball ability, academic prowess, and service to one's surrounding communities. The Jostens Trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of a well-rounded Division III student-athlete. The 2026 season marks the 28th time the Jostens Trophy honors will be awarded.

Burman wrapped up a storied SLC basketball career last month after helping the team to a third consecutive postseason appearance, reaching the Skyline Semifinal in each season. The senior also eclipsed the 1,000-point mark on senior day, becoming just the sixth player in program history to do so. Burman has also excelled off the court, with ties to a variety of areas around campus. He is currently serving as the President of the department's Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and has previously served as the chair of Student Life at SLC. In addition to standout performances on the court, Burman has been awarded numerous academic accomplishments, including the Skyline's 2025 Men's Basketball Elite 19 Award, which is given to the student-athlete competing in the conference's championship with the highest GPA. The senior is also a member of SLC's Chi Alpha Sigma chapter, an honor society for student-athletes who excel in the classroom and on the court. He has been recognized by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) in addition to the Skyline Conference for his academic prowess, being named to the CSC's Academic All-District Team and the NABC's Honors Court. Burman has exemplified the strength and intelligence that Sarah Lawrence student-athletes display day-in and day-out, being a tremendous ambassador for the school and athletic department.

Listed below are the finalists for the 2026 Jostens Trophy awards (listed alphabetically by last name):

WOMEN'S FINALISTS			MEN'S FINALISTS
Isabella Antonacci, Allegheny College			Chris Bryant, Hardin-Simmons University
Riley Corcoran, Bridgewater College (Va.)			Brady Burman, Sarah Lawrence College
Brianna Fitzgerald, SUNY New Paltz			Mason Dopirak, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Natalie Gricius, Carroll University			Mason Funk, Illinois Wesleyan University
Vanessa Hall, Utica University			Sam Grieger, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Lexy Harris, Washington University in St. Louis			Scott Gyimesi, Tufts University
Kaci Kranson, University of Scranton			Chase Morgan, Maryville College (Tenn.)
Macy Miller, Ohio Wesleyan University			Kevin Nowoswiat, Franklin & Marshall College
Samaree Perkins, Capital University			Ben Pearce, Emory University
Mary Schleusner, Washington and Lee University			Jack Plesser, Union College
Elyse Warren, Millsaps College			Soren Richardson, Wheaton College (Ill.)

Read the full release from the ODAC here