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MEDIA RELEASE__Bluffton University recognized outstanding student-athletes, campus supporters and welcomed a featured speaker during its annual Athletics Awards Forum on Tuesday, April 14. 

The Forum included recognition of major athletic award recipients and a keynote presentation from Brian Polian, vice president for athletics and national engagement at John Carroll University. 

Polian, a veteran of more than 25 years in college athletics, shared reflections on leadership, resilience and personal development with students, faculty and staff. Drawing from his career experiences, he emphasized the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. 

“The reality of life…is we’re all going to face hardship,” Polian said. “Things are not going to go your way, and you’ve got to learn to deal with it.”  

He encouraged students to focus on character and everyday habits, noting, “First things first, just be a good person…you have no idea how refreshing it is to just simply deal with good people.”  

Polian also highlighted the value of stepping outside one’s comfort zone and prioritizing experiences over outcomes, urging students to embrace growth opportunities throughout their academic and professional journeys. “Failure is inevitable. Without failure, there is no growth,” he said.  

In addition to the keynote, several prestigious athletic awards were presented. 

The Larry Jones Memorial Award, which honors a non-athlete who has made significant contributions to Bluffton athletics, was awarded to Greg Wannemacher. A 1977 graduate, Wannemacher has played a vital role in advancing Bluffton’s athletics and campus initiatives. His contributions include leadership in bringing Alumni Field to fruition, as well as significant support for projects such as the Knowlton Science Center. He currently serves as chair of Bluffton’s Board of Trustees and continues to impact the university through his leadership and philanthropy.  

The Kathryn E. Little Award, presented to an outstanding senior woman athlete for excellence in athletics, academics and leadership, was awarded to Madison Brown. A primary P–5 intervention specialist major with a 3.9 GPA, Brown capped her collegiate career with an impressive senior season. She led the Beavers in scoring (15.6 points per game) and rebounding (8.9 rebounds per game), while also leading the conference in made free throws and shooting over 80 percent from the line. 

Brown finished with 764 career points at 24th all-time, with 412 rebounds, 119 assists and 53 steals. She ranks fourth in program history with an 80.6 career free-throw percentage and ninth in total free throws made. Head coach Chad Shutler said, “She is the ultimate example of a Division III philosophy, patience, and a commitment to work,” highlighting her development into a dominant offensive force over her final two seasons. 

The A.C. Burky Award, given to the senior male athlete who best exemplifies leadership, character and athletic achievement, was presented to Nevin Robson. Robson distinguished himself both academically and athletically. He maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout his collegiate career while serving as a team captain and earning multiple all-conference and academic honors. 

On the court, Robson averaged 17 points, nine rebounds and three assists per game during his senior season, finishing his career with 1,061 points, ranking 28th all-time in program history. Beyond his individual success, he remained actively involved in youth athletics and consistently contributed to campus athletic events, exemplifying the well-rounded student-athlete ideal. 

The Athletics Awards Forum highlights Bluffton University’s commitment to developing student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom while fostering leadership, integrity and meaningful connections.