LC State's Sitara Byrd Earns Second CSC Academic All-America Honor

Byrd becomes the second Warrior Women's Basketball player to earn the prestigious academic award.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:00am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game or match, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in navy blue, forest green, and burnt orange, conveying the multifaceted achievements of the student-athlete.A conceptual illustration captures the academic and athletic excellence of LC State's Sitara Byrd, whose dedication to her studies and basketball career has earned her prestigious national recognition.Spokane Today

LC State Women's Basketball standout Sitara Byrd has been named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America team for the second time in her career. The senior from Spokane, Washington, maintained a 3.99 GPA throughout her four years and will graduate this spring with a degree in elementary education.

Why it matters

Byrd's academic and athletic achievements exemplify the dedication and excellence expected of LC State student-athletes. Her recognition as a CSC Academic All-American highlights the program's commitment to developing well-rounded individuals who excel both on the court and in the classroom.

The details

Byrd is one of only 10 NAIA women's basketball players to earn CSC Academic All-America honors this season. She surpassed 1,000 career points this year, leading the Warriors in several statistical categories including points, field goals made, and offensive rebounds. Byrd also ranked third in the Cascade Conference in steals and fifth in 3-point percentage.

  • Byrd was named to the CSC Academic All-America second team on April 15, 2026.
  • Byrd will graduate from LC State this spring with a degree in elementary education.

The players

Sitara Byrd

A senior on the LC State Women's Basketball team, Byrd maintained a 3.99 GPA and will graduate this spring with a degree in elementary education.

Caelyn Orlandi

The head coach of the LC State Women's Basketball team, who praised Byrd's dedication and excellence both on and off the court.

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What they’re saying

“To add this to Sitara's list of accolades is absolutely perfect. Sitara works for everything she earns, and this is just another example of how truly phenomenal she is. She exemplifies everything it means to be a Warrior and her dedication to excellence both on and off the court is truly remarkable.”

— Caelyn Orlandi, Head Coach, LC State Women's Basketball

“I am truly honored to receive this CSC Academic All-America award. To be recognized among a group of student-athletes who strive for excellence both on the court and in the classroom is incredibly meaningful to me. This recognition reflects the support and guidance I received from my coaches, professors, teammates, family and community.”

— Sitara Byrd

What’s next

Byrd will graduate from LC State this spring and pursue a career in elementary education, continuing to build on her academic and athletic accomplishments.

The takeaway

Sitara Byrd's dual achievements as a standout student-athlete at LC State exemplify the program's commitment to developing well-rounded individuals who excel both on the court and in the classroom. Her recognition as a CSC Academic All-American is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and the support she has received from her coaches, professors, and community.