CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa --- The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) announced today that former Loras College track and field star Zach Frey (Cascade, Iowa / Cascade) has been named the Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for the 2015-16 academic year. The award, the highest individual honor from the conference, goes to an alumnus from the previous academic year.
 
Frey compiled a 3.98 grade-point average during his standout career at Loras, majoring in accounting and finance. He earned eight gold medals at Iowa Conference indoor / outdoor championships and is the conference record-holder in the 800m run both indoors and outdoors. A three-time outdoor All-American, one of Frey's greatest achievements was his earning the NCAA's "Elite 90" award, which goes to NCAA championships participants -- across all sports in all divisions -- with the highest GPA in that championship event. Frey was on the Dean's List all eight semesters of his collegiate career and was chosen Loras's "Accounting Student of the Year" for 2014-15-16. He volunteered with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dubuque and also did work with Habitat for Humanity.

"We had an amazing group of candidates again this year,” said Iowa Conference Commissioner Chuck Yrigoyen. “Our Faculty Athletics Representatives never have an easy choice when it comes to casting their votes. Zach Frey, along women’s co-recipients Kaitlin Phillips of Loras and Clare Slagel of Luther, made an immense impact as a student-athlete and as a member of the campus and local communities."

Athletics Achievements:

• Three-time Outdoor Track & Field All-American: 2014-2016 (twice 800m run, once 4x400 relay)
• Two-time NCAA Indoor Track & Field Qualifier: 2015 and 2016 (800m run)
• Eight-time IIAC Conference Champion: (three times 800m run, four times 4x400 relay, once 4x800 relay)
• IIAC Conference Meet Record Holder: 800m run, Indoor & Outdoor 4x400 relay- Indoor &Outdoor)
• Loras College School Record Holder: 800 meter run (indoor) & 4 by 800 meter run (outdoor)
• 2016 Dewey Awards: Loras College "Male Athlete of the Year"
• Loras Track MVP in 2014 & 2016

Scholarly Achievements:

• NCAA Elite 90 Award Winner: national track & field qualifier with the highest GPA, representing the essence of a Student-Athlete.
• Academic All-American all four years (2013-2016).
• Awarded scholarships for being named the class's "Accounting Student of the Year" from 2014-2016.
• Dean's List all eight semesters.
• Graduated with Provost Top 20 honors.

Community / Campus Service

• Raised funds, set up and organized a Halloween night for the Boys & Girls Club of America in Dubuque. Provided costumes for kids; food, drink, and treats; Halloween-themed contests & activities.
• Volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.
• Participated on student panels during Loras Business Week (Q&A format with prospective students and parents); also introduced keynote speakers during presentations in Business Week.
• Supplemental Instruction Leader for five semesters, tutoring students in large group sessions in the subject areas of economics, finance and accounting; coordinated with professors throughout to help students understand the material and prepare for exams. 

What They Said About Zach Frey:
Matt Jones, Head Coach of Track and Field, Loras College
"As a staff we talk a lot about landing a 'once in a decade' recruit. We refer to these athletes as [such] because their success will have a lasting effect on our program even after they graduate. I was fortunate enough to be able to coach one of those athletes."

Luke Lammer, Associate Professor of Accounting, Loras College
"The hard description is to try to communicate the nuance and depth Zach brought to the classroom, the scholarly curiosity he brought to office hours, and the motivating effect he had on those around him to, as we say here at Loras, 'be more.' "

Jeremy Thornburg, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Advisor and Head Men's Volleyball Coach, Loras College
"[Zach's] character, personality, and overall joy for life, Loras, and being a student-athlete is second to none."


Also nominated for the 2015-2016 Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year were former Buena Vista baseball player Neil Marshall, Central football player Taylor Cox, University of Dubuque football player Blaine Snitker, Luther wrestler Drew Van Anrooy and Wartburg football/baseball player Robbie Anstoetter. For more information on these nominees, click here for the January 10, 2017 nominees/finalists release.
 
Frey and this year’s women’s co-winners – former Loras College basketball player Kaitlin Phillips and Luther College swimmer Clare Slagel – will be honored at the conference’s annual awards banquet May 30.

About the IIAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards
The IIAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Awards were first presented in December 2001 for the 2000-01 academic year. To be eligible for nomination, a student-athlete shall have graduated or exhausted their athletic eligibility during the academic year for which the award is given. He must have demonstrated a high level of accomplishment and achievement in a varsity sport, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale), and show evidence of scholarly achievements, community service involvement and leadership.
 
Previous recipients of the Duane Schroeder IIAC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year include Tim Vinyard (2000-01, Coe College football and baseball), Dale Biser (2001-02, Cornell College football and track & field), Jesse Harris (2002-03, Simpson College basketball), Brent Showalter (2003-04, Wartburg College track & field), Garrett South (2004-05, Luther College wrestling), Adam Duerfeldt (2005-06, Central College baseball), Adam Bohach (2006-07, Luther College cross country and track & field), Kyle Duchman (2007-08, Wartburg College football), Alec Bonander (2008-09, Luther College wrestling), Tyler Burkle (2009-10, Coe College wrestling), Ryan Schisler (2010-11, Coe College baseball), Michael Zweifel (2011-12, University of Dubuque football), Wyatt Hanus (2012-13, University of Dubuque football), Kyle Freischlag (2013-14, Central tennis) and Daniel Bonthius (2014-15, Wartburg track & field).
 
About Duane Schroeder
The IIAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award is named in honor of the late Duane Schroeder, the former Wartburg College sports information director. Schroeder served as Wartburg’s SID for 43 years until his retirement in 2000. Upon his retirement from his sports information duties, he was named SID Emeritus and served as Wartburg’s News Director until 2001. During much of his four decades at Wartburg, Schroeder served as the IIAC’s secretary and treasurer.