CHICAGO (Sept. 24, 2026) – The UIC Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has been accepted into the National College Athlete Honor Society as the Illinois Alpha Lambda Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, which recognizes student-athletes from accredited four-year institutions who are members of an association or organization that promotes academic achievement and varsity-level athletics competition while holding commitment to the principles of integrity, sportsmanship and overall development of their student-athletes.
 
Chi Alpha Sigma was founded in 1996 by then-DePauw University head football coach Nick Mourouzis. His goal was to provide outstanding student-athletes with an opportunity to become connected within a fraternal association that aligns their educational and athletic successes for a lifetime.
 
To be inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete must achieve junior or senior academic standing at their institution, complete four full-time semesters or six quarters of college course work after high school, as determined by the certifying institution, and must have achieved a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale).
 
Dr. Mark Giles, NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative, Professor of Educational Policy Studies and Associate Dean for Faculty Engagement and Academic Affairs, will be the primary advisor for UIC's chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma. Karen Dixon, Associate Athletics Director for Academic Services, will serve as the chapter's secondary advisor.
 
Visit ChiAlphaSigma.org for more information.
 
About the National College Athlete Honor Society
The National College Athlete Honor Society, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and certified member of the Association of College Honor Societies, was founded in 1996. Chi Alpha Sigma works with state chapters of four-year institutions to recognize college student-athletes who excel in their sport, the classroom and the community.
 
About UIC Athletics
The UIC Department of Intercollegiate Athletics supports 18 NCAA Division I sports programs comprised of nearly 300 student-athletes and more than 100 coaches and staff. Since earning NCAA Division I status in 1981, UIC has captured 80 conference championships and made 54 NCAA team and individual postseason appearances, while 21 Flames have achieved All-America status, 90 have been named conference Player of the Year and 63 coaches have earned conference Coach of the Year honors. In addition, UIC student-athletes have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for each of the past 24 semesters and boast a 91-percent graduation rate. The Flames are proud to compete in the Missouri Valley Conference, one of the nation's most respected leagues, both academically and athletically.
 
For more information on UIC athletics, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UICFlames) and Instagram (@uicflames).