HILLSBORO, Ore. – The Northwest Conference has selected Whitworth University graduate Zach Brooks as its annual Man of the Year for the 2024-25 academic calendar.
Brooks, who graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in English and minors in Theology and Psychology, was a standout football team captain who also left a lasting impact on the department through his leadership in the Whitworth Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
"Zach is an unbelievable young man who pursues excellence in every area of his life," said Whitworth football coach Rod Sandberg. "His intense dedication to studying film and practicing like he wanted to play on game day led to an outstanding football career. In the midst of all his accomplishments, Zach remained humble, joyful, authentic, and mindful of others. He made those around him better and he is certainly deserving of this award."
A two-time team captain and four-year letter winner, Zach was named First Team All-NWC in back-to-back seasons following the 2023 and 2024 campaigns. As a senior last fall, he recorded 129 total tackles—setting a new program record, leading the NWC, and ranking second in all of NCAA Division III. As a team captain in 2023 and 2024, Brooks helped lead the Pirates to a pair of 10-win seasons and NCAA Division III playoff appearances. His efforts earned him the football team's Torchbearer Leadership Award and the 2025 Dennis Spurlock Award, the highest honor presented by Whitworth Athletics. In addition to claiming first team all-conference recognition, Zach was named first team All-Region by D3football.com.
"Zach is an unbelievable young man who pursues excellence in every area of life," said Whitworth defensive coordinator Mac Shaw. "He excelled as a student and athlete in our program over the last four years as an all-conference player and team captain. He is the most intentional player that I have had the privilege to coach."
Zach graduated summa cum laude in May with a 3.98 GPA. He was named a College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American Second Team selection in 2024 and earned Academic All-District honors. His academic accolades include the Outstanding Senior Thesis Presentation from the Psychology Department and the Award for Excellent Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences from the George F. Whitworth Honors Program.
Off the field, Zach was a three-year member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, serving as Male Co- President for two years. He led the campus-wide "Trick or Treat so Kids Can Eat" canned food drive for three consecutive years and served as a small group leader and Spiritual Leadership Committee member within the football program. Zach also worked as a writing consultant in the Composition Commons and was a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the National English Honor Society.
"I am honored to receive such a prestigious award, and I am indebted to all the coaches, professors, teammates, friends, and loved ones who encouraged and challenged me over the past four years," Brooks said about the award. "For me, this award is the fruit of years filled with discipline, responsibility, suffering, and sacrifice. This award will serve as a reminder of countless memories, both joyous and sorrowful, and as a reminder that my late father would be proud of the man that I am becoming."
The NWC has selected a Woman of the Year since 2009-10 as part of the NCAA's Woman of the Year program. The conference elected to add an annual Man of the Year award beginning in 2022-23. The awards seek to honor graduating student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in academics, athletics, service and leadership.
"I can't think of a more deserving recipient than Zach as the NWC Man of the Year," said Tim Demant, Whitworth's Director of Athletics. "On the field he is a talented competitor, in the classroom he is an accomplished student, and off the field he is articulate, thoughtful and a man of high character. He is exactly what we believe Division 3 athletics is about, a complete champion."
