GLIAC — Ashland University senior wide receiver Matthew Wilcox has been named recipient of the 2017 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Jack H. McAvoy Award as announced by Commissioner Kris Dunbar. The award is presented annually to the GLIAC football player who best combines outstanding character and leadership on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.
A native of Ada, Ohio, Wilcox sports a cumulative grade-point average of 3.73 through the spring 2017 semester as an Exercise Science major. He is a two-time member of the GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team (cumulative GPA 3.50-4.00).
On campus and in the community, Wilcox is a three-year Fellowship of Christian Athletes Huddle Leader, took a mission trip to Chicontla, Mexico, in 2017, and in 2016, took a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, and earned both the Don Rinehart Award and the Humility Service to the Glory of God Award.
Wilcox has been accepted into the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2022.
On the field this fall, Wilcox is Ashland's leading receiver, catching 37 passes for 707 yards (19.1-yard average) and five touchdowns. He finished the regular season fifth in the GLIAC in receptions, fourth in receiving yards and second in yards per catch.
In his three-year Eagle career, Wilcox has caught 77 passes for 1,754 yards (22.8-yard average) and 17 touchdowns. He is two receiving yards away from passing current National Football League tight end Adam Shaheen for 10th on Ashland's all-time list, and six yards away from passing Bill Seder for ninth place.
"The GLIAC is proud of the accomplishments of Matthew Wilcox," stated Commissioner Dunbar. "Wilcox exemplifies outstanding class and excellence of the student-athletes that we have in the GLIAC. The Jack McAvoy Award provides a platform that allows his accomplishments to be recognized regionally and nationally. The GLIAC is proud to honor Matt Wilcox as our McAvoy Award recipient."
Wilcox becomes the second Ashland student-athlete to win the award joining Nick Bellanco who earned the award in 2009. Ferris State University has had the most recipients of the award (4), with Northwood University and former conference member Hillsdale College each having three honorees. The award is named for former Hillsdale College director of athletics and head football coach, Jack McAvoy, who was instrumental in the founding of the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference (MIFC), now known as the GLIAC.