MILWAUKEE, Wis. (June 29, 2006) - Josh Nygren, a senior on the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's track and field team, has been named the 2006 recipient of the Horizon League's Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor, the league office announced today.

Nygren is the sixth Panther to earn the honor and the second men's honoree in a row, following Antou Jallow (men's soccer) in 2005. Nygren is also the third recipient from the men's track and field program after Paul McGinley (2000) and Jonathon Manke (2002). Soccer players Lisa Krzykowski (1998) and Erin Blaedow (2002) have been women's recipients.

"We are very excited for Josh and proud of all he has accomplished. Over the years, a number of our student-athletes have set very high standards, both athletically and academically, and Josh has done a remarkable job of meeting and exceeding those standards. His work in the classroom has been exemplary, his contributions to our campus and community noteworthy and his accomplishments on the athletic field extraordinary. This is a very well-deserved honor."

"For Josh, this is a great way of summing up his time here. He is an outstanding individual who has succeeded in track, cross country and the classroom," head track and field coach Pete Corfeld said. "Wherever he goes from here, he will have an impact on all those around him. It's nice to see a quality student-athlete like Josh receive an honor like this to cap his collegiate career."

Nygren was four-year letterwinner with both the track and field and cross country teams. He served as a three-time captain of the cross country team and the track distance runners, while helping Milwaukee to both indoor and outdoor track and field championships in each of his last three seasons. Individually, he won the indoor league 3000m title as a junior and the 3000m steeplechase at the outdoor meet this past May. Additionally, he is a two-time all-league first team member in cross country to go with six second-team nods over the two sports.

His success has crossed over to the classroom, where he has been selected to the Dean's List eight times and boasts a 3.930 grade point average as a history and political science major. Nygren earned his sixth academic all-league honor earlier this week and has earned the Faculty Athletics Representative Awards--presented to the athlete with the highest GPA on each team--three times. He is also an Honor's Program participant and four-time UWM Scholar-Athlete with Distinction.

A native of Marinette, Wis., Nygren is also active in the university and community. He is a student member of the Honors College Committee at UWM in addition to being member of the UWM College Republicans and a three-year member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Off campus, he has participated in a number of community service projects, including Toys For Tots and the East Side Neighborhood Clean-Up.

The Coleman Award is presented annually to the League's top male and female student-athletes who best exemplify the dignity and high purpose of the League and its membership. The individuals demonstrate outstanding achievement in academics, athletics and extracurricular activities.

Candidates must be a senior who has exhausted his/her eligibility and was a participant on the varsity level in a league-sponsored sport. In addition, nominees must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent.

Grace Luginbuhl, a pitcher on Cleveland State's softball team, was the women's recipient of the award. Luginbuhl was named Horizon League Pitcher of the Year last season, the second-straight year she has earned the honor.

"We are exceptionally proud of what Grace and Josh have accomplished in their collegiate careers as individuals and as members of successful teams," Horizon League Commissioner Jon LeCrone said. "While athletes so often get praised for their work on the court or on the field, the Coleman Award also recognizes athletes for their character and tireless efforts in the classroom and community. These two individuals exemplify what our four platforms are all about, and we wish them well in their future endeavors."