WALTHAM, Mass. -- Recent Brandeis University graduate Lev BenAvram of Bethesda, Maryland, and the men's fencing team, has been selected as the Region II winner of the Division III Commissioner's Association (D3CA) Student-Athlete of the Year for men's sports, it was announced last week.

BenAvram was named the Division III Saber Fencer of the Year this year by the United States Fencing Coaches Association, earning the award for the second year in a row. He also earned his fourth career Division III All-America honor. BenAvram was also named an All-Division All-American for the second time, landing on the second team with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA National College Championships at the University of Notre Dame last March. He was Brandeis's departmental Rookie of the Year in 2023 and was the Harry, Joseph, and Ida Stein winner as outstanding male athlete in 2026. 

"Lev epitomizes the spirit of Div III athletics, with his consistent ability to lock in on his dreams on and off the playing surface," said head coach Elif Soyer Sachs. "He is proof that a quality Division III athletic program can serve as a scaffold for the hopes and dreams of an elite athlete while also supporting their academic goals and endeavors. I have no doubt that Lev will continue to lead by example in his life beyond Brandeis." 

In the classroom, BenAvram is a two-time College Sports Communicators' Academic All-American. He graduated cum laude with a 3.77 GPA as a business and Near Eastern and Judaic Studies double major. He was active on campus in business and Jewish-life clubs while volunteering with Friends of Sanctuary Uganda, which was founded by young members of the Jewish community in 2019. The organization provides girls who have been orphaned or are otherwise vulnerable in Mbale, Uganda with a safe home, education, and opportunities for long-term success. BenAvram was also active on campus, participating in Fail Faster, Fail Smarter Entrepreneur Program this past year and Shalom Brandeis Radio for three years. BenAvram is also a competitor on the national and international stage, currently ranking sixth in the United States in saber according to US Fencing.

"I was already competing at a level where Division I was a real option. During my visit to Brandeis, then-head coach Jennie Salmon gave me advice I've never forgotten," BenAvram said as part of his nomination. "'You have to love wherever you go. If you get injured or stop fencing, it still has to be your home.' Those conversations changed the way I thought about choosing a college. I stopped asking, 'Where can I become the best fencer,' and started asking, 'Where can I become the best version of myself.' I wasn't looking for a college experience that revolved solely around my sport. I wanted professors who would challenge me, classmates who would broaden my perspective, and teammates who would become lifelong friends. I wanted an education that would help me become a stronger thinker, leader, and person because I believed those qualities would ultimately make me a better athlete. Looking back, I never had to choose between becoming an elite athlete and becoming a whole person. Each made the other possible. Brandeis became the place where I discovered not only the athlete I could become, but the person I hope to be for the rest of my life." 

The D3CA Regional Athlete of the Year awards, now in their fourth year, recognize graduating seniors who have demonstrated excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and service throughout their collegiate careers.

Each regional winner now advances to the national ballot for the DIIICA Men's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year and D3CA Women's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year awards, which will be announced next month. Graduating seniors were the only student-athletes eligible for nomination. Each conference was permitted to submit up to two nominees for each gendered award, provided at least one was an international student or from an ethnic minority background. Selection was based on four key areas: Academic Achievement, Athletic Excellence, Service and Leadership, Personal Statement
Voting took place among commissioners within each of the 10 Division III regions. The top male and female honorees in each region will be considered for the two national awards.

The full list of award winners is available here: https://nacda.com/news/2026/8/26/division-iii-commissioners-association-diiica-announces-2025-26-regional-student-athlete-of-the-year-honorees.aspx