UW-River Falls’ Aaron Borgerding Wins 2024 WIAC Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award

UW-River Falls’ Aaron Borgerding Wins 2024 WIAC Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award

November 21, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Sports

UW-River Falls’ Aaron Borgerding Receives 2024 WIAC Football Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award

Aaron Borgerding, a senior at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, has earned the 2024 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Football Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award.

Borgerding, from Spring Valley, Wisconsin, holds a 3.742 GPA. He majors in health and physical education and minors in adapted physical education. He was a semifinalist for the 2024 National Football Foundation Campbell Trophy and made the 2023 NCAA Division III Academic All-District® Football Team. He is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and frequently appears on the Dean’s List. He is also part of the National College Athlete Honor Society.

On the field, Borgerding received All-WIAC first team honors this season, following second team recognition in 2022 and honorable mention in 2023. He helped his team secure the Isthmus Bowl in both 2021 and 2022. During the 2022 season, he led the conference with 57 solo tackles and was the team’s top tackler overall with 94 tackles. He served as a team captain for two years and was named Team Defensive MVP in 2023.

Borgerding is involved in leadership as an officer in the UW-River Falls Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He has volunteered for several initiatives, including Trick or Treat for Canned Goods, Run with the Cops, Youth Football Night, and Kids Club, and he has worked as a driving instructor.

Other nominees for this year’s award include:

  • Aaron Schmitz (UW-La Crosse)
  • John Schirger (UW-Oshkosh)
  • Rece Shelton (UW-Platteville)
  • Luke Parzyck (UW-Stout)
  • Jason Ceniti (UW-Whitewater)

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award honors Max Sparger, a former commissioner of the Wisconsin State University Conference, who served for 22 years. To qualify for the award, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.50, be in their final year of competition, and have competed for at least two years. The award recognizes academic achievements, athletic accomplishments, and contributions to campus and community service.