TOWSON, Md. - Nick Kinzler of Wilkes University was selected as the Landmark Conference Male Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Kinzler, who was the league’s Men’s Soccer Senior Scholar-Athlete, was also nominated for the Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA) National Student-Athlete of the Year award.
Scholar-Athlete of the Year History
“Nick Kinzler embodies what it means to be a Division III student-athlete and I am thrilled to recognize him as the Landmark’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year. His commitment to his studies while enriching the campus community through his service is evident during his time at Wilkes,” stated Landmark Conference Commissioner Katie Boldvich. “Nick is also a joy to watch play the beautiful game. As a fellow goalkeeper, I appreciated his tenacity and grace under pressure while in net. I wish him nothing but the best in whatever comes next!”
Kinzler completed his bachelor's degree in Corporate Finance last May, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 3.96 grade point average, and graduated from the University's 4+1 program with a Master's in Business Administration this past spring with a 3.91 GPA.
Kinzler shined academically during his time at Wilkes. He was awarded the 2023 Professor Ted Engle Award for Excellence in Finance, which is given annually to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence and personal, professional, and community leadership. He was inducted into the Colonels Elite Society in 2022 for his good moral character and high academic performance. He also received the College Sports Communicators Academic (CSC) All-District Team Award in 2022 and 2023, which commends student-athletes who excel on and off the field.
"I am forever thankful to receive the honor of Male Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the Conference,” remarked Kinzler. “However, I know that this accomplishment, as well as any others I have received in the past, would not have been possible without the support system I have built during my time at Wilkes. I am truly appreciative of all the people who made this possible, including my family, friends, coaches, teammates, professors, and fellow colleagues of the University. The feeling of gratitude I have is second to none and it is a great send-off to my final year of college.”
On the field, Kinzler earned a spot on the 2023 All-Landmark Conference First Team for his play in net. While serving as the team captain this past season, Kinzler recorded three shutouts and started in all 16 contests for the Colonels. The goalkeeper averaged a conference-high 5.75 saves per game and was named the Landmark Conference Defensive Athlete of the Week three times during the 2023 season.
“We are so proud of Nick,” stated Wilkes Director of Athletics, Scott Musa. “He is the perfect representation of the ideal Division III student-athlete - he is a leader on the field, in the classroom, and within the community. We always strive to ‘Earn Our Rank’ as Colonels and this award is just one more example of Nick succeeding with that task.”
Kinzler continued to demonstrate his leadership skills outside the classroom and off the field. While serving as the president of the Wilkes University chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), he placed top three in five different state conference awards and three national conference awards. He is also a member of the Wilkes University Honors Program and the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society. He additionally served as the graduate assistant in the Office of the Presidents for the university.
"I am ecstatic for Nick,” said Wilkes men’s soccer head coach, Michael Piranian. “The level of dedication, determination, and diligence that we have come to expect from him on the field, in the classroom, and in the community through not only COVID but also our seasons is exemplary. He is the epitome of a scholar-athlete that our programs here at Wilkes and in the Landmark aspire to have.”
An extremely active member of the Wilkes-Barre community, Kinzler collaborated with organizations like Souper Sundays and the Pediatric Associates of Kingston to provide meals to local families in need. As a first year, he volunteered at St. Nicholas Church to set up their annual Bazaar event. Through the Wilkes soccer program, the goalkeeper participated in several events to benefit community members. These included digging out basements for Habitat for Humanity, assisting in a Special Olympics bowling event, handing out Thanksgiving meals for the Weinburg Food Bank, and participating in the annual Wilkes "Trunk or Treat" event.