NEW YORK --- Natalie Bremer, a women's basketball standout from Minnesota State has been named the DII Honda Athlete of the Year as announced by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of The Collegiate Women Sports Award (CWSA) presented by Honda.

The CWSA celebrates its 50th anniversary during the 2025-26 collegiate athletic season. The DII Honda Athlete of the Year was selected by senior women administrators from more than 1,000 NCAA member schools and Bremer will be honored during a live broadcast on CBS Sports Network on Monday, July, 27, at 7:00 p.m. (EST) in New York City.

Other finalists for the DII Honda Athlete of the Year Award include Sara Batchadji (Florida Tech Soccer), Amely Bochaton (Wingate Golf), Kristyna Hranacova (Nova Southeastern Tennis), Parker Keeler (Newberry Field Hockey), Gwen McGinnis (Tampa Softball), Makenna Nold (Concordia St. Paul Volleyball), Kristina Orban (Nova Southeastern Swimming & Diving), Tristan Spence (Adams State Cross Country) and Blakelee Winn (Pittsburg State Track & Field).

"I am honored and blessed to be able to be named the D2 Honda Athlete of the Year foremost because there are so many great athletes across the country and to be named the best is completely amazing," Bremer said. "I couldn't be any more grateful for those that have supported me to get me to this point."
 
A native of Lake City, Minn., Bremer became the first Maverick in team history to be named the WBCA NCAA Division II Player of the Year as she garnered WBCA All-American First Team honors. Bremer also garnered All-NSIC First Team honors and was named the NSIC South Division Player of the Year.
 
Starting in all 32 games for the Mavericks, Bremer led the Mavericks to a 29-3 record, including a 21-1 record in NSIC action to secure Minnesota State its third NSIC Championship in team history. Bremer averaged 21.8 points per game, while shooting .486 from the field. She finished the year ranked sixth nationally in scoring and became Minnesota State's all-time leading scorer for both men and women with 2,371 career points.
 
In the classroom, Bremer was regularly named to the NSIC All-Academic Team and eventually earned CSC Academic All-American First Team honors in 2026.

"We are extremely proud of Natalie for being named the DII Honda Athlete of the Year," head coach Emilee Thiesse said. "This is an incredible honor and a testament to the impact she has made as one of the very best student-athletes in Division II. Natalie is a proven leader, an exceptional teammate, and a dedicated student. She embodies the values of Maverick Women's Basketball in everything she does while continually challenging herself to reach new heights. We could not be happier to see her recognized with an award that is so well deserved."

Now in its 50th year, the CWSA continues to honor the nation's top female collegiate athletes for excellence in athletics, leadership, academics, and community service. Since partnering with Honda in 1986, the program has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants, strengthening and advancing women's athletics programs nationwide.

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility and the Honda USA Foundation

For more than 65 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. The company's mission is to create products and services that help people fulfill their life's potential, while conducting business in a sustainable manner and fostering an inclusive workplace. Advancing its corporate social responsibility, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation support this direction through giving focused on education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety, and community.