BURNSVILLE, Minn., N.D. – Bemidji State University Football student-athlete Nick Gerlach was named the 2022 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Elite 18 Award winner for football as he held the highest cumulative grade point average from student-athletes competing on an NSIC Championship football program. He is the fifth student-athlete from Bemidji State to earn the award and first from the BSU Football program.
 
As part of the NSIC 25th Anniversary celebration during the 2016-17 academic year, the NSIC Elite 18 Award was instituted to recognize the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the NSIC Championship level in their sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among their peers. The NSIC Elite 18 award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NSIC's 18 Championships.
 
Gerlach is a junior majoring in business administration and holds a 4.00 grade point average. The East Bethel, Minnesota native is a two-time NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence member. 
 
For more information on the Bemidji State football program, follow the Beavers on Twitter (@BSUBeaversFB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and follow them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversFB).
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women's hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
 
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