Saint John's University

Established in 2013, the Fr. Wilfred Theisen, OSB Student-Athlete of the Year Award recognizes a varsity senior student-athlete (or two) at Saint John's University who has excelled in the classroom and in their sport.

The award is named in honor of Theisen '52, a longtime J-Club officer and the Abbey's top Johnnie sports fan. He taught physics at SJU for 47 years and was named professor emeritus at his retirement in 2005. He was a former SJU faculty representative to the MIAC and continued as treasurer of the J-Club. Theisen passed away on Dec. 3, 2024, at the age of 95. 

Past Fr. Wilfred Theisen Student-Athlete of the Year Award Recipients
2013 - Dennis Granath '13 (Golf)
2014 - Michael Coborn '14 (Soccer)
2015 - J.T. Ford '15 (Football)
2016 - Alex Niederloh '16 (Soccer)/Sam Sura '16 (Football)
2017 - Mack Farley '17 (Golf)/Carter Hanson '17 (Football)
2018 - Sam Olson '18 (Golf)
2019 - Will Gillach '19 (Football)/David Stokman '18 (Basketball)
2020 - Ben Bartch '20 (Football)
2021 - Tanner Dufault '21 (Hockey)/Brady Labine '21 (Track & Field)
2022 - Maguire Petersen '22 (Track & Field)
2023 - Lloyd Young '23 (Cross Country/Track & Field)
2024 - Kevin Arthur (Track & Field)/Nate Loxtercamp '24 (Golf)
2025 - Ryan Thissen '24 (Basketball)