The award is given to an individual(s) for their ability to overcome obstacles and serve as an inspiration to others. The recipients used perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome a life-altering event. The inaugural award was given in 2003.
| Year Received | Recipient | School |
| 2023 | New Paltz | |
| 2022 | Cortland | |
| 2020 | Oneonta | |
| 2019 | Cortland | |
| 2018 |
Brockport |
|
| 2017 |
Plattsburgh |
|
| 2016 | Geneseo | |
| 2015 |
Robert J. Rosa |
New Paltz Geneseo |
| 2014 |
Josh Best |
Fredonia |
| 2013 |
N/A |
|
| 2012 |
N/A |
|
| 2011 |
Michael Connors Rosie Shrout Jake Simmons |
Oswego Potsdam Buffalo State |
| 2010 |
Dan Brown Steve Loesch Ashley Napear |
Geneseo Oneonta Plattsburgh |
| 2009 |
50th Anniversary of SUNYAC |
N/A |
| 2008 |
Michele Carron Sandra Hollander Nick Johnson Lindsay Trifiletti Robert W. Burke Brian Mehan |
Brockport Buffalo State New Paltz New Paltz Oswego Plattsburgh |
| 2007 |
Todd Sheridan Jason Januskiewiczy |
Brockport Fredonia |
| 2006 |
Stephanie Zweig |
Plattsburgh |
| 2005 |
Colleen Bruley John Salamone Jeannine Muoio-Salamone |
New Paltz Oswego Oswego |
| 2004 |
Kathryn MacCrate |
New Paltz |
| 2003 |
Steve Falcone Curtis Bachek Anne Sarkissian Mike Kelly |
Brockport Buffalo State Oswego SUNYIT |
The SUNYAC Awards Banquet Dinner takes place in coordination with the Governing Body meetings in May each year.