ALISO VIEJO, Calif. - Cal Poly Pomona men's basketball student-athlete Kevin Simeth has been voted the 2025-26 CCAA Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
The award is voted on and selected by the Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs) from the conference's 12 member institutions. It recognizes student-athletes for their excellence in the classroom, their community involvement, and their athletic accomplishments.
 
Simeth graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona. He earned summa cum laude honors and was selected as the Industrial Engineering Program Valedictorian for the Class of 2026.
 
"Kevin is the quintessential role model of a student-athlete," said Brian Swanson, Cal Poly Pomona's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "He successfully balanced the demands of a highly challenging engineering major with being a dedicated and committed basketball player. I have no doubt that Kevin will excel in his professional pursuits and personal aspirations as he moves forward."
 
Simeth's academic resume is among the most decorated in recent conference history. Simeth earned the 2025 CCAA Elite 13 Award, was a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection, a three-time Division II ADA Academic Achievement Award recipient, a three-time CCAA All-Academic honoree and a three-time CCAA Winter/Spring Academic Honor Roll selection. He also received NABC Honors Court recognition, earned three President's List honors and six Dean's List honors, and was named a 2025-26 Cal Poly Pomona Senior Award Scholar.
 
"Kevin is truly deserving of this recognition because he represents everything you hope a student-athlete can be," said Cal Poly Pomona head men's basketball coach Greg Kamansky. "He excelled in one of the university's most demanding academic programs while serving as the leader of our team. His work ethic, competitiveness and character set the standard for everyone around him, and he represented our program and university with the highest distinction."
 
Away from competition, Simeth was equally committed to serving others. He volunteered as a peer tutor for engineering students, coached youth basketball camps at both Cal Poly Pomona and San Jose State, and participated in community outreach efforts serving the homeless in San Jose. Fluent in English and French and proficient in German, Simeth consistently demonstrated leadership on campus and in the community.
 
On the court, Simeth capped his collegiate career with his best season. He earned All-CCAA honorable mention honors. He started all 30 games for the Broncos, averaging 9.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest while shooting 66.7 percent from the field. He ranked third on the team in scoring, led Cal Poly Pomona in rebounds and blocked shots, and helped guide the Broncos to the CCAA Tournament semifinals.
 
Over two seasons at Cal Poly Pomona following his transfer from San Jose State, Simeth developed into one of the conference's premier interior defenders and rebounders while balancing the demands of one of the university's most rigorous academic programs.
 
After graduation, Simeth plans to pursue a professional basketball career overseas before beginning a career utilizing his Industrial Engineering degree.
 
Simeth becomes the first Cal Poly Pomona student-athlete to earn CCAA Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors since Sergi Monso in 2017-18, and the program's third men's recipient overall.
 
To be nominated for the CCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, individuals must have a 3.5 grade-point average or higher at a conference institution, complete their final season of eligibility, and participate in a CCAA-sponsored sport.