Wrestling | August 25
Cleveland, Ohio – Former Northern Illinois University wrestler
Mason Kauffman (Stratford, Wis. / Eastern Michigan/Stratford) has been awarded The Bob James Memorial Award by the Mid-American Conference, the conference office announced Thursday.
"My staff and I can't imagine a more deserving student-athlete than Mason to garner this distinguished honor," said head coach
Ryan Ludwig. "Many thanks to the Mid-American Conference Faculty Athletics Reps for recognizing his dedication to excellence."
The Bob James Award recognizes one female and one male student-athlete who have achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.50 and have displayed good character, leadership and citizenship. The student-athletes are nominated during the year in which they complete their final season of eligibility. The $5,000 post-graduate scholarship is awarded in honor Bob James, the second commissioner in Mid-American Conference history (1964-71).
"I feel extremely blessed to have received this award. My time at Northern Illinois University was an amazing journey and it feels great to end my career there with such a prestigious honor," said Kauffman.
"I want to thank my coaches, teammates, and family for helping guide me into a position where I could be nominated for something as special as this. The scholarship that comes along with this award will be utilized on my next journey as I move towards getting my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Thank you to everyone involved with this, go Huskies!"
A two-time NCAA Championship qualifier and CoSIDA Academic All-American, Kauffman left his mark at NIU in both the classroom and on the mat. The 2021-22 season was one of Kauffman's best after going undefeated against Mid-American Conference competition. He won the 174-pound title at SIUE's Cougar Clash and was the MAC Co-Wrestler of the Week on Jan. 5 after reaching the title bout at the Illinois Matmen Open. At this year's MAC Championships, Kauffman was one of three Huskies to win an individual title. He was named the MAC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Week after winning the 174-pound title at the conference meet.
Kauffman is the sixth Huskie to earn the honor. The previous recipients are listed below.
2015 - Dustin Page (Men's Soccer)
2013 - Nabal Jefferson (Football)
2012 - Kristin Hoffman (Volleyball)
2007 - Jody Yednock (Gymnastics)
2006 - Marie Zidek (Volleyball)
