The men’s basketball team secured its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory with a win over Dubuque, marking a significant milestone in the program’s history. Meanwhile, the football team saw three of its players — Collin Brunstein ’25, Destin Chance ’25, and Charlie Patterson ’25 — earn All-American honors. Chance’s performance earned him a spot as a semifinalist for the prestigious Gagliardi Trophy, awarded to the Division III Player of the Year. On the track, Dylan Doss ’27 claimed second-team All-American honors in the outdoor long jump, finishing 10th. Additionally, four football players, including Brunstein, Cory Walbert ’25, Thomas Little ’24, and Patterson, received All-Region recognition, while men’s basketball’s Jake Mazrimas ’24 and softball’s Julia Drake ’25 were also named to the All-Region 9 team.

Dominance in the Midwest Conference

IC’s dominance extended to the Midwest Conference, where football, men’s soccer and men’s basketball all clinched regular-season championships. It was a historic year for men’s soccer, which won its first-ever title, while men’s basketball secured its second consecutive championship. The men’s basketball team also triumphed in the Midwest Conference Tournament for the second straight year. Volleyball, women’s basketball, softball and men’s outdoor track and field teams also delivered strong performances, with several teams earning top finishes in their respective conference tournaments. 

Individually, 59 IC athletes across 13 sports earned All- Midwest Conference accolades. Standout athletes included Chance, who was named Football Offensive Skill Player of the Year, and Patterson, who won the Football Defensive Skill Player of the Year award. Men’s soccer’s Albert Nimako ’24 and men’s basketball’s Mazrimas were also honored as Players of the Year in their sports while Drake was honored as Softball Pitcher of the Year. First-year student athletes made an impressive impact as well, with the following earning Newcomer of the Year honors in their respective sports: Deja Anderson ’27 in women’s track & field, Doss in men’s track & field for the indoor season, Adam Hernandez ’27 in men’s track & field for the outdoor season, Ligaya Garibay ’25 in volleyball, and Reed Rogers ’25 in men’s soccer. Coaches were not left out, with Ray DeFrisco and Evan Philpott being named Football and Men’s Soccer Coaches of the Year, respectively.

Excellence in the classroom

IC student-athletes didn’t just excel on the field — they also demonstrated academic excellence throughout the 2023-24 academic year. During the fall semester, 18 of IC’s 23 teams achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The women’s golf squad led the department with a GPA of 3.67, followed closely by women’s cross country (3.48), and men’s tennis and women’s track and field (3.46). A total of 40 student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0 GPA, and 177 were named to the Dean’s List. 

The success continued into the spring semester, with 18 teams again achieving a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The women’s golf squad maintained its leadership with a 3.61 GPA, while volleyball, women’s tennis, men’s tennis, and women’s cross country rounded out the top five. A total of 37 student-athletes earned a 4.0 GPA, and 204 were recognized on the Dean’s List. 

Highlighting IC’s commitment to academic excellence, football’s Blake Bratt ’24 and softball’s Allison Mortland ’24 were awarded the prestigious Elite 20 Award. This honor is given annually to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA in their respective sport’s culminating championship or tournament, recognizing the pursuit of excellence in both academics and athletics.

IC Athletics has truly set a new standard for excellence, both on the field and in the classroom, during the 2023-24 year. To keep up to date with athletic success this season, visit ic.edu/athletics