South Milwaukee Native Gottwald Tabbed WIAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year

2014 Nov 10

John Gottwald, a South Milwaukee, WI, native and senior on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's soccer team, was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award for men's soccer, the league announced Friday prior to the conference tournament championship match.

Gottwald, a midfielder, is the first player in program history to earn the accolade. He currently carries a 3.65 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, and is majoring in chemistry with minors in biology and mathematics. Last month, Gottwald was selected first team Capital One Academic All-District 6 by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Gottwald is also a three-time WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll member and has made Dean's List in seven semesters.

A four-year starter, Gottwald currently leads the Warhawks in points (25), leads the conference in assists (11) and is tied for the team lead with seven goals. UW-Whitewater is currently 13-4-4 overall and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The team will host Carroll this Thursday in the first round.

Last season, Gottwald earned first team All-WIAC honors and first team National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Wisconsin State merits. A two-year captain, Gottwald currently holds the third-highest assist total for one season in program history and is tied for seventh on the all-time list in career assists (16).

In addition to his academic and athletic achievements, Gottwald has been active on and off campus. He has volunteered in Earth Day cleanup for the last two years, at St. Luke's South Shore Hospital in Cudahy last summer and at the Tall Tales Music Festival in Burlington in August. Gottwald has served as a resident assistant for three years and was a chemistry research assistant for one year.