The Northwest Conference (NWC) is proud to announce Whitworth University's Ben Nyquist as the 2026 Northwest Conference Man of the Year, recognizing his exceptional accomplishments in athletics, academics, leadership and service throughout his collegiate career.
A four-year member of Whitworth's men's basketball program, Nyquist combined outstanding athletic performance with academic excellence, graduating with a 3.98 cumulative GPA while majoring in Business Management. He earned Third Team Academic All-America honors in 2025-26, was a two-time Academic All-District selection and was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor society recognizing the top business students.
On the court, Nyquist established himself as one of the Northwest Conference's premier student-athletes. A four-time letterwinner, he was named the 2025-26 NWC Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference with 94 steals and setting Whitworth's single-season steals record. His average of 3.36 steals per game ranks among the best single-season marks in conference history. During his career, Nyquist helped lead the Pirates to three Northwest Conference championships and three NCAA Division III Tournament appearances.
Beyond his athletic and academic accomplishments, Nyquist demonstrated leadership and a commitment to serving others throughout his collegiate career. He served as a team captain during the 2025-26 season, volunteered at Rockwood Retirement Community, and participated in Whitworth's Fellowship of Christian Athletes by writing letters encouraging middle school student-athletes navigating challenges in sports and faith.
"I'm incredibly honored and grateful to be named the 2026 Northwest Conference Man of the Year. This award means a lot to me, especially because of all the amazing experiences I've had and the people I've met along the way. My biggest takeaway from being a student-athlete has been the relationships I've built and the experiences I've shared.
"I'm extremely grateful for my teammates, coaches, professors, friends, and everyone at Whitworth who has challenged me, supported me, and helped me grow both on and off the court. I'll carry those lessons and relationships with me for the rest of my life. What a blessing it has been to compete in the Northwest Conference, and I'm forever grateful to have spent four years as a Whitworth Pirate."
The Northwest Conference Man of the Year award recognizes a graduating male student-athlete who has distinguished himself throughout his collegiate career through academic achievement, athletic excellence, leadership and service. To be eligible, nominees must have earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport and completed their undergraduate degree during the academic year.