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The Today's Top VIII Award is given each year by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to honor eight outstanding senior student-athletes of the preceding calendar year. From 1973 through 1985, this award was known as the Today's Top V Award or the Top Five Award and was given to honor five outstanding senior student-athletes of the preceding calendar year. From 1986 through 1994, it was known as the Today's Top VI Award and was given to honor six outstanding senior student-athletes of the preceding calendar year. Winter/spring sports considered include baseball, basketball, fencing, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, rowing, skiing, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, men's volleyball, women's water polo and wrestling. Fall sports considered include cross country, field hockey, football, soccer, women's volleyball and men's water polo.

For 2006, the selection criteria are:^[1]

1. The nominee must be a varsity letter-winner.
2. The nominee must complete intercollegiate eligibility in winter or spring during the 2005-06 academic year to be eligible for the winter/spring award or in fall 2006 to be eligible for the fall award.
3. The nominee must attend the January, 2007 awards celebration.
4. There is no set male-female ratio. At least one winner will be selected from both Divisions II and III.
5. Geographical equality is not necessary.
6. An institution may nominate more than one student-athlete in a sport(s). However, no more than three Today's Top VIII winners may come from any sport.
7. There is no limit on winners from one institution.

Other weighted criteria are applied as follows:

• Athletics ability and achievement: 50 percent
• Academic achievement: 25 percent
• Character, leadership and activities: 25 percent

Recipients of the Top VII Award include many notable athletes in the United States and include Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and John Elway. For a list of recipients, see Top VIII Award Recipients

1. ^ NCAA Award Description and Critera

• NCAA Honors and Awards