Men's Track & Field July 18, 2016

Pozolinski Wins Prestigious Coleman Award

Two-time All-American earns league’s top honor

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee high jumper Brett Pozolinski has been named the male recipient of the Horizon League's 2015-16 Coleman Medal of Honor, the league office announced Monday.

Pozolinski becomes the ninth Panther all-time to garner the Coleman Award and the fourth from the track & field/cross country program.

The senior capped his career as a two-time All-American, establishing himself as the one of the top high jumpers in not only Milwaukee, but Horizon League history.

The Horizon League's highest individual honor, 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 seniors who have exhausted their eligibility and were participants on the varsity level in a League-sponsored sport. In addition, nominees must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, or its equivalent.

"It is an honor to receive an award that only a few UWM student-athletes have received," Pozolinski said. "Although athletics has taught me many lessons, it is great that this award sheds light on not only athletics, but academic and extracurricular activities. I would like to thank my coaches, academic advisors, athletic trainers, and professors for their dedication to UWM and giving student-athletes like myself the opportunity to become well-rounded individuals."

Pozolinski graduated summa cum laude from Milwaukee with a 3.897 GPA as a kinesiology major. The senior was a three-time Golden Key Club nominee and was a member of the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll. This past year, Pozolinski was named the 2015-16 Male Student-Athlete of the Year and Senior Student-Athlete of the Year.

The Kimberly native was named First Team All-American in high jump as he tied for fifth at the 2016 NCAA Indoor Championships. He was also named the 2016 Horizon League Indoor Field Athlete of the Meet at the league championships. Then, at the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships, Pozolinski placed 10^th and garnered Second Team All-American honors, even more impressive considering he had already started graduate school classes at the University of Wisconsin.

"Hats off to Brett's magnificent season and career as a student-athlete at UWM," Milwaukee head track and field coach Pete Corfeld said. "This is a great finish to a dream season. We're all incredibly proud of everything Brett has accomplished – both on the field and in the classroom. He continues to represent our program, not only with this award, but with his current academic pursuit in grad school at Madison.

"You can't ask for a better individual to have in your program. This is the pinnacle of our mission."

Pozolinski still manages to find time to give back to the Milwaukee community as he is a four-year volunteer at the annual Panther Prowl race on campus, tutors at the Boys and Girls Club and has served as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. The senior has also worked as a grade school track meet volunteer and a development track meet official.

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Players Mentioned

Brett Pozolinski: Senior; Jumps

Players Mentioned

Brett Pozolinski
: Senior; Jumps