MADISON, Wis. (blugolds.com) --University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Michael Bylander has been selected recipient of the 2022 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Max Sparger Men's Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athlete Award.
A senior from Baxter, Minn. (Brainerd), Bylander sustains a 3.64 grade point average and is majoring in biology with minors in chemistry and pre-professional health sciences. He secured a spot on the College Swimming Coaches Association of America Individual Scholar All-America Team for the 2020-21 academic year. Bylander is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and been recognized on UW-Eau Claire's Dean's List numerous semesters.
Bylander was selected the Swimmer of the Meet at this year's WIAC Championship after winning five titles (two individual, three relay) and establishing three conference meet records. Overall, he is a nine-time conference champion and four-time All-American. During the 2020-21 season, he was the second-fastest 200-yard breaststroker in NCAA Division III and secured WIAC Swimmer of the Year recognition. A two-year team captain, Bylander owns the school record in the 200-yard breaststroke, 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard medley relay.
Bylander is a member of UW-Eau Claire's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has participated in multiple research assignments and studies.
Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-La Crosse's Benjamin Hendel (Sr., Appleton, Wis./West); UW-Stevens Point's Jared Chatterton (Sr., Kenosha, Wis./Tremper); and UW-Whitewater's Tyler Popke (Sr., Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie).
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 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.
