MADISON, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Luke Ortscheid (Sr.-Wausau, Wis./West) has been selected as the recipient of the 2014 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Max Sparger Wrestling Scholar-Athlete Award.
A senior from Wausau, Wis. (West), Ortscheid maintains a 3.71 grade point average and is majoring in social studies education with a minor in history. He is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and been recognized on UW-Eau Claire's Dean's List.
A two-time team captain, Ortscheid has compiled a 25-15 during the 2013-14 campaign. A year ago, he finished fifth in the 197-pound weight class at the NCAA Division III Regional.
Ortscheid completed a property inventory on behalf of the Wisconsin Historical Society and is a contributing member of UW-Eau Claire's Centennial Oral History Project. He has volunteered as a "Reading Partner" for children who are stuggling with reading and school due to language and/or cultural differences.
UW-Stevens Point's William Langford (Westosha, Wis./Central) was also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award.
The 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.
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.
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