The men's WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Max Sparger, who served as commissioner of the Wisconsin State University Conference for 22 years from 1971-93. He oversaw the transition of the conference from NAIA to full NCAA membership. Sparger arrived at UW-Stout in 1959 and served the institution in a variety of capacities, including as an assistant football and basketball coach, head wrestling coach and head football coach. He served as UW-Stout's athletics director from 1969-71 and was inducted into the WIAC Hall of Fame in 2012.
In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.50 grade point average. In addition, he must be in his last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years. The award is based on academic achievements, athletics accomplishments and involvement in other campus activities, organizations and community service projects.
| Year |
Student-Athlete |
Sport |
| 1985-86 |
Brian Swanson |
Men's Hockey |
| 1987-88 |
Tony Bourget |
Men's Basketball |
| 1992 |
Jason Miller* |
Baseball |
| 1994-95 |
Vance Mattson |
Men's Hockey |
| 1996-97 |
Brent Shaback |
Men's Hockey |
| 1999-00 |
Tom Pink |
Men's Hockey |
| 2002-03 |
Nate Ziemski |
Men's Hockey |
| 2004-05 |
Kyle Nosan |
Men's Hockey |
| 2006-07 |
Baron Bradley |
Men's Hockey |
| 2007 |
Reed Coil |
Baseball |
| 2007-08 |
Dustin Cosgrove |
Men's Hockey |
| 2009-10 |
Brian Bina |
Men's Hockey |
| 2013-14 |
Pat Dalbec |
Men's Hockey |
| 2021-22 |
Jordan Martin |
Men's Hockey |
* - co-recipient
