MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stout's Gervase Thompson has been named the recipient of the 2023 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Max Sparger Football Scholar-Athlete Award.
A senior from Brule, Wis. (Northwestern), Thompson boasts a 4.00 grade point average and is double-majoring in mechanical engineering and applied physics with a double-minor in mathematics and materials science. He is a semifinalist for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy®, which includes Division I, II and III football student-athletes. Thompson is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and secured a spot on UW-Stout's Dean's List numerous semesters. He is a three-time Blue Devil Academic Top Scholar.
Thompson received All-WIAC Second Team recognition this season after earning honorable mention status a year ago. In 2023, he shared the lead with 4.5 sacks and finished second with 60 tackles.
He is a member of UW-Stout's Honors College and the Multicultural Student Organization. Thompson has served as proctor for the UW-Stout Youth Skills USA Tournament, as well as volunteer church sanitizer and usher, confirmation group team leader and spelling bee judge.
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. The award is based on academic achievements, athletics accomplishments and involvement in other campus activities, organizations and community service projects.Â
