Whitworth University senior football player Zach Brooks has been named the 2025 Northwest Conference (NWC) Man of the Year, the conference announced Wednesday. With the honor, Brooks will serve as the NWC's official nominee for the prestigious 2025 Division III Commissioners Association Men's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year Award.
The NWC Man of the Year award recognizes graduating student-athletes who have demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and community service. Nominees must have earned a varsity letter and completed their undergraduate degree by summer 2025.
Brooks, a linebacker from Davis, California, graduated summa cum laude in spring 2025 with a degree in English and minors in theology and psychology. He was a member of the 2024 Northwest Conference championship football team and served as a team captain. He earned First-Team All-NWC honors in both his junior and senior seasons and was named a CSC Academic All-American, NCAA Division III Second Team All-American, First-Team All-Region by D3football.com, and CSC Academic All-District in 2024. That same season, he set a new school record for single-season tackles with 129.
Additional honors include:
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Dennis Spurlock Award – Whitworth Athletics (2025)
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Torchbearer Leadership Award – Whitworth Football (2024)
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Committed to Excellence Award – Whitworth Football (2023)
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12th Man Award (Defensive Scout Player of the Year) – Whitworth Football (2021)
“I am honored to receive such a prestigious award,” Brooks said. “I am indebted to all the coaches, professors, teammates, friends, and loved ones who encouraged and challenged me over the past four years. For me, this award is the fruit of years filled with discipline, responsibility, suffering, and sacrifice. This award will serve as a reminder of countless memories, both joyous and sorrowful, and as a reminder that my late father would be proud of the man that I am becoming.”
Head coach Rod Sandberg said Brooks’ work ethic set the tone for the team:
“His intense dedication to studying film and practicing like he wanted to play on game day led to an outstanding football career. In addition to being team captain and the school record holder for tackles, Zach was also 1st Team All-NWC/All-Region and the recipient of Whitworth Football’s highest team award, the Torchbearer Leadership Award.
He excelled as a student, maintaining nearly a 4.0 while earning his degree in English and receiving Academic All-American honors. He also served as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. In the midst of all his accomplishments, Zach remained humble, joyful, authentic, and mindful of others. He made those around him better and he is certainly deserving of this award.”
Defensive coordinator Mac Shaw added:
“Zach is an unbelievable young man that pursued excellence in every area of his life. He excelled as a student and athlete in our program over the last four seasons as an all-conference player and team captain. He was the most intentional player that I have had the privilege to coach.”
Linebackers coach Alex Murphy, who worked closely with Brooks, said:
“Zach was an exceptional football player and fun to coach, but more importantly, one of the most genuine and authentic people you’ll ever meet. He is a joy to be around and makes everyone around him better.”