Emory University senior Ashley Chu was honored Tuesday afternoon with her second consecutive selection to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Third Team, as announced by the organization via press release.
Chu becomes the seventh player in Emory softball history to be a two-time Academic All-American by the CSC (formerly CoSIDA) organization with her 2026 honor marking the 20th overall Academic All-America selection in team history. Chu is the eighth Emory Eagle to earn CSC Academic All-America designation during the 2025-26 academic calendar and brings Emory's department total to 254 in its history.
The Cumming, Georgia native was a standout performer for the Eagles as a senior as she led the Eagles to an overall record of 28-14 and an appearance in the NCAA Regional Final. The All-University Athletic Association First Team and NFCA All-Region Third Team selection, Chu started in each of Emory's 42 games while batting at an impressive .441 clip and a .977 OPS. Chu notched a team-leading 63 hits on her way to become the Eagles' all-time career hits leader. She added 36 runs, four doubles, one home run, 12 RBI and went 12-for-17 in stolen base opportunities to lead the team. She closed out her career with All-Tournament Team honors after going 11-for-18 at the plate in five regional contests including a go-ahead three-run, inside-the-park home run against Belhaven in game one of the regional championship series.
The CSC Academic All-America team recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. To be nominated, student-athletes must be a key member of their respective teams, maintain at least a 3.50 grade point average and be of sophomore standing or higher. Chu was one of five Eagles nominated for the award process, joining Mackenzie Duford, Ella Hoyle, Ellie Zerr and Lillian Ware as CSC Academic All-District honorees. Select student-athletes are then placed on the ballot for CSC Academic All-America voting.
