The Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference and the Aurora University athletic department announced the 2020-2021 NACC Male Student-Athlete of the Year and Spartan Man of the Year Award today. The honors have been bestowed upon Spartan football quarterback
Gavin Zimbelman.
Zimbelman becomes the fourth Spartan male to earn the NACC Man of the Year honor since the conference's inception in 2006-2007. For the Spartan Man of the Year award, it honors a graduating male student-athlete athletes who has distinguished himself throughout their collegiate careers in academics, athletics, service and leadership.
Zimbelman's career accomplishments are noteworthy and following the 2019 season and during the 2019-2020 academic year, Zimbelman earned numerous lofty honors at AU and nationally for his efforts. He was named the AU Male Athlete of the Year which added the top AU athletic honor to a lengthy list of noteworthy accomplishments in 2019.
He was selected as a 2019 Gagliardi Trophy Finalist, D3football.com Honorable Mention All-American. a third-team all-region quarterback by D3football.com, the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Offensive Player of the Year and All-Conference. Zimbelman has led the Spartans to a 12-2 overall record including a 9-2 record in 2019.
"As the quarterback of the football team, Gavin has been a key part of the team's success over the past few years. He has shown tremendous growth and leadership not only on the field but has also in the classroom and the AU community, frequently finding time to volunteer and give back," said AU Associate Director of Athletics for Health and Safety / Senior Woman Administrator
Nicki Pieart. "As a recent graduate, he will continue his education in our master's program and has more to give on the field. We are excited to have Gavin back for this extra year and know that he will continue to represent the Spartan Way in exemplary fashion."
Zimbelman graduated this spring magna cum laude with a degree in sports management and business administration and a minor in coaching after accumulating a 3.84 grade-point average. He was a four-time NACC Scholar-Athlete, a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District pick (2019, 2021), and a 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-America first-team selection. The 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-America Team will be announced later this month. Zimbelman also earned induction into Omicron Delta Kappa - the national leadership honor society and received the Gold Ivy Leaf Award. He received a 4.0 GPA, earning High Honors, in six of eight undergraduate semesters.
"Aurora University has given me a tremendous opportunity to grow personally, academically, and spiritually both on and off the field," said Zimbelman. "Over the past four years, I have discovered that my goal in life is to strive to become the best version of myself each and every day. This includes being the best leader, student-athlete, and citizen that I can be. Being a quarterback, I am put into a natural leadership position on our team. Being in this position has allowed me to grow as a leader, not only on the field but around campus and in the community as well."
A team captain, Zimbelman has also been a member of AU's L.E.A.D. organization as well as a member of the Aurora Football Leadership Council. He has also spent time volunteering at Triple Threat Mentoring, local high school swim meets, and with the Kankakee County Convention Center and Visitors Bureau in conjunction with Chicago Bears Training Camp. Zimbelman has also served as a volunteer coach for i9 Sports flag football.
"Being a student-athlete has been a challenge that I have embraced throughout my four years. It has taught me that with a strong work ethic and an optimistic mindset, you can achieve the impossible. Serving others in the community has shown me the impact I can have on others to lift them up and help them pursue their dreams just like others have done for me. Overall, being a leader, student-athlete, and volunteer around the community has offered me many great experiences and relationships that will continue to help me become the best version of myself throughout my life."
Additionally, senior men's soccer student-athlete Justin Rutherford received the Richard Rickey Award. The Richard Rickey Award is given to a senior male student-athlete who exemplifies the characteristics of dedication, determination, sportsmanship and faith throughout the academic year.
