Wingate’s Nallenweg Named SAC Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Wingate redshirt junior quarterback Robbie Nallenweg has been named the 2012 SAC Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the conference office announced on Monday. The award recognizes excellence in athletics, academics, community service and leadership.

The Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards are given to one male and one female student-athlete in each of the SAC's 14 championship sports. The awards are voted on by the conference's Faculty Athletic Representatives.

Nallenweg was one of the nation's most prolific passers in his first year as a starter, finishing the regular season with 3,654 yards, which ranked fifth in Division II and were the sixth-highest single-season total in SAC history.

Nallenweg's 29 touchdown passes also led the conference in 2012, and his average of 29.64 completions per game ranked third in DII. He threw three or more touchdowns in seven of WU's 11 games.

In the classroom, Nallenweg carries a 3.74 GPA majoring in biology. During his time on campus, he has been a member of the Wingate President's List, the Wingate Dean's List and the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll.

An active member of his local community, Nallenweg has volunteered with organizations that include Special Olympics and the Boys & Girls Club. Those service efforts earned the Asheville, N.C. native a nomination to the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

He is also a member of the Wingate Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, which advocates for the enhancement of the student-athlete experience on campus.

"I have known Robbie for four-plus years, and I find his character to be beyond reproach," said Wingate head coach Joe Reich. "He possesses an outstanding work ethic and has a tremendous desire to excel.

"He has a genuine concern for those around him, and he is willing to stand up for what he believes."