Men's Soccer

UW-Eau Claire’s Malcook Named Men’s Soccer Max Sparger Scholar Athlete

MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Noah Malcook has been named the recipient of the 2026 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Soccer Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award.
 
A senior from Fitchburg, Wis. (Oregon), Malcook is majoring in business finance and sustains a 3.92 grade point average. He was named to the College Sports Communicators NCAA Division III Academic All-District® Men’s Soccer First Team in 2024 and 2025. Malcook is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has earned a spot on UW-Eau Claire’s Dean’s List numerous semesters.
 
A two-year team captain (2025, 2026), Malcook is a three-time All-WIAC first team selection (2024, 2025, 2026) – one of two players in program history to accomplish the feat. He has helped the Blugolds win WIAC regular-season titles in 2024 and 2025, as well as the conference tournament crown both years. In addition, Malcook is a three-time NCAA participant.
 
Malcook is a member of UW-Eau Claire’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. This past summer, he completed a special projects internship.
 
Also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award were: UW-Platteville’s Justin Williams (Sr., Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North); UW-River Falls’ Sorel Richardson (Sr., Alameda, Calif./Alameda Encinal); and UW-Whitewater’s Mason Diercks (Sr., Oregon, Wis./Oregon).
 
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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