Zilbar earns WIAC Football Scholar-Athlete Award

MADISON, Wis. -- University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Jacob Zilbar was named the recipient of the 2014 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Max Sparger Football Scholar-Athlete Award. 

A senior from Tampa, Fla., is majoring in biology with a minor in pre-health and carries a 3.84 grade point average.  Zilbar has been selected to the Capital One Academic All-District® squads the past two years and is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll.  He has also earned a spot on UW-Platteville's Chancellor's List numerous semesters. 

A two-time team captain, Zilbar was selected the WIAC Defensive Player of the Year this season and claimed All-WIAC first team recognition for the second straight year.  In 2012, he claimed All-WIAC second team accolades after receiving honorable mention in 2011.

Zilbar has volunteered at St. Jude Hospice, Community Connections and Manor Care. Additionally, he is a member of UW-Platteville's Student-Athlete Advisory Council and an advisor in the Pre-Health Society.  Zilbar also serves as a campus tutor for anatomy, physiology, physics and chemistry. 

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Max Sparger, who served as commissioner of the Wisconsin State University Conference for 22 years from 1971-93.  He oversaw the transition of the conference from NAIA to full NCAA membership.  Sparger arrived at UW-Stout in 1959 and served the institution in a variety of capacities, including as an assistant football and basketball coach, head wrestling coach and head football coach.  He served as UW-Stout's athletics director from 1969-71. 

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.50 grade point average.  In addition, he must be in his last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.