Men's Cross Country

UW-Stevens Point’s Murphy Named Men’s Cross Country Max Sparger Scholar Athlete

MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Logan Murphy has been named the recipient of the 2026 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Cross Country Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award.
 
Murphy, a senior from Sheboygan Falls, Wis. (Sheboygan Falls), maintains a 3.544 grade point average and is majoring in waste management and environmental protection, while minoring in soil sciences and business administration. In 2024 and 2025, he secured NCAA Division III All-Academic distinction from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Murphy is a two-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been named to UW-Stevens Point’s Dean’s List numerous semesters.
 
Murphy, a team captain this year, claimed the individual title at this year’s WIAC championship to help the Pointers to their best finish at the conference meet since 2010. He has collected All-WIAC honorable mention accolades each of the past two seasons. In 2023, Murphy was named WIAC Newcomer of the Year. He owns a pair of All-Region performances, placing 15th at the NCAA North Regional in 2024 and 19th in 2025.
 
Outside of the course and classroom, Murphy is a member of the Waste Management Society of UW-Stevens Point.
 
Also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award were: UW-La Crosse’s William Aurit (Sr., Dodgeville, Wis./Dodgeville); UW-Oshkosh’s Alex Peterson (Sr., Oconto Falls, Wis./Gillett); UW-River Falls’ Myles Rasmussen (Sr., Winona, Minn./Winona); and UW-Whitewater’s Conner Murphy (Sr., Sheboygan Falls, Wis./Sheboygan Falls).
 
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. The award is based on academic achievements, athletics accomplishments and involvement in other campus activities, organizations and community service projects.
 
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