The NCAA has announced that wrestler-turned-Hollywood star John Cena will be the recipient of the 2024 Silver Anniversary Award, which honors former student-athletes for their outstanding collegiate and professional achievements on the 25th anniversary of their college athletics careers.
Cena will be honored with the award at the NCAA’s January convention.
You can check out the full announcement below:
“Meet the 2024 Silver Anniversary Award recipients
Former student-athletes to be recognized at NCAA Convention
At its Convention in January, the NCAA will honor six former student-athletes for their outstanding collegiate and professional achievements.
The Silver Anniversary Award recipients are recognized on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their college athletics careers. The awardees were nominated by administrators at their undergraduate school and are selected by a panel of former student-athletes and representatives from NCAA member schools and conferences.
The 2024 recipients are Nicole Aunapu Mann, Jerry Azumah, Shannon Boxx, John Cena, Misty May-Treanor, and Cindy Parlow Cone. The awardees will be celebrated on Wednesday, Jan. 10, at the NCAA Convention Welcome and Awards Presentation in Phoenix.
Learn more about the 2024 recipients below:
2024 Silver Anniversary Award – John Cena
John Cena
School: Springfield College
Major: Applied exercise science
Sport: Football
As a student-athlete: John Cena served as one of three captains on the 1998 Springfield football team that went 9-2 and advanced to the Division III tournament. At season’s end, the accolades rolled in for the senior, as he was named a Hewlett-Packard Division III first-team All-American, a Football Gazette All-American, an Eastern College Athletic Conference New England/Northeast Division III All-Star and a New England Football Writers Division II/III All-Star. A three-time Freedom Football Conference All-Academic honoree, Cena was inducted into the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015 and was honored at Springfield College’s 40 Under 40 Awards Celebration in 2017.
As a professional: While football ended for Cena after his time at Springfield, he put his athleticism to use as a professional wrestler. Now, he’s one of the most recognizable sports and entertainment faces in the world as a World Wrestling Entertainment superstar and 16-time world champion. He is also well known as an actor and former rapper. His philanthropic work is just as notable. Cena has been especially involved with Make-A-Wish, granting more than 650 wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses, which is more than anyone else involved with the organization. He’s also been an advocate in anti-bullying efforts and promoting the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion. Additionally, he’s been heavily involved with the Susan G. Komen organization, which strives to eradicate breast cancer, and has worked with WWE to raise more than $1.5 million to support that mission. The collection of these efforts led to him receiving the 2018 Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award in recognition of his leadership as a philanthropist.”
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John Cena, the wrestler-turned-Hollywood star, has been announced as the recipient of the 2024 Silver Anniversary Award by the NCAA. This prestigious award honors former student-athletes for their outstanding collegiate and professional achievements on the 25th anniversary of their college athletics careers.
Cena will be honored with the award at the NCAA’s January convention. The Silver Anniversary Award recipients are recognized for their exceptional accomplishments both during their college years and in their professional careers. They are nominated by administrators at their undergraduate school and selected by a panel of former student-athletes and representatives from NCAA member schools and conferences.
The 2024 recipients of the Silver Anniversary Award include Nicole Aunapu Mann, Jerry Azumah, Shannon Boxx, John Cena, Misty May-Treanor, and Cindy Parlow Cone. These individuals will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 10, at the NCAA Convention Welcome and Awards Presentation in Phoenix.
John Cena attended Springfield College, where he majored in Applied Exercise Science and played football. As a student-athlete, Cena served as one of the team captains for the 1998 Springfield football team that had a successful season with a 9-2 record and advanced to the Division III tournament. He received numerous accolades for his performance, including being named a Hewlett-Packard Division III first-team All-American, a Football Gazette All-American, an Eastern College Athletic Conference New England/Northeast Division III All-Star, and a New England Football Writers Division II/III All-Star. Cena was also recognized for his academic achievements, being a three-time Freedom Football Conference All-Academic honoree. In 2015, he was inducted into the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame and honored at the college’s 40 Under 40 Awards Celebration in 2017.
After his college football career ended, Cena pursued a professional wrestling career and became one of the most recognizable sports and entertainment faces in the world. He is a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar and a 16-time world champion. Cena is also known for his work as an actor and former rapper. Beyond his professional success, Cena is highly regarded for his philanthropic efforts. He has granted over 650 wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses through the Make-A-Wish organization, making him the individual with the most wishes granted. Cena is also an advocate for anti-bullying efforts and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. He has been actively involved with the Susan G. Komen organization, raising over $1.5 million to support their mission of eradicating breast cancer. In recognition of his leadership as a philanthropist, Cena received the 2018 Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award.
John Cena’s achievements both on and off the field make him a deserving recipient of the 2024 Silver Anniversary Award. His dedication to his craft, philanthropy, and advocacy for important causes have made a significant impact, and he continues to inspire others with his success story.