MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) has announced its initial recipients of the NACC FAR Award, and Lakeland University student-athletes Olivia Heling (Jr.-West Bend, Wis.) and Robby Michael (Jr.-Sheboygan, Wis.) both were honored among five recipients from the fall 2024 semester.

Heling was the NACC's recipient of the award for women's tennis, while Michael was recognized as the conference's recipient for football. The two were joined by three others in the first release of the award

The award was developed by the NACC's Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs) as a way to recognize outstanding achievements and commitment in three essential areas - academic performance, contribution to athletics, and service to the campus community. Additionally, it recognizes the perseverance and determination demonstrated in the pursuit of success in those endeavors.

The honor builds upon the existing NACC academic awards program, which includes the NACC Scholar-Athlete Awards and the G. Steven Larson Student-Athletes of the Year. The latter award is selected by the NACC's senior woman administrators, while the former is determined by grade-point average alone.

Each NACC institution is allowed to nominate two individuals per semester. Those nominees are then taken under consideration by a subcommittee of the conference's FARs, which determines the winners.

A total of 10 individuals will be recognized each academic year with five honorees representing fall sports being announced during the spring, with a further five honorees representing winter and spring sports slated to be announced upon the completion of the academic year.
The five recipients for the Fall 2024 semester are: 
Abigail Hoffmann, Edgewood College, women's volleyball
Olivia Heling, Lakeland University, women's tennis
Robert (Robby) Michael, Lakeland University, football
Lukas Schwenke, Milwaukee School of Engineering, men's soccer
Margaret Thillman, Milwaukee School of Engineering, women's soccer
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Olivia Heling
Institution: Lakeland University
Sport: Women's Tennis
Hometown: West Bend, Wis.
Major: Biology (minor: psychology; concentration: health science)
Heling, a junior majoring in biology with a minor in psychology and a health science concentration, has competed at the No. 1 spot in both singles and doubles since her freshman season, compiling 27 victories en route to NACC Freshman of the Year honors in 2022 and All-NACC honors in singles in 2023.

Heling has served her community by volunteering time preparing crafts and activities for children's programs at her local library. Additionally, she has recently started working in a local retirement home, allowing her to care for a vulnerable population that has historically been overlooked.

Heling has volunteered her time as a youth tennis coach, eventually working as an assistant coach for a summer program where she provided one-on-one coaching and made meaningful and impactful connections with many who otherwise may not have had access to a tennis club.
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Robert (Robby) Michael
Institution: Lakeland University
Sport: Football
Hometown: Sheboygan, Wis.
Major: Sport Management and Leadership (Concentration: Athletic Coaching)
A versatile dual-threat quarterback for the Lakeland football program, Michael ranks in the top 10 in program history in six major categories, including third in career total offense, fourth in rushing yards, and seventh in passing yards. Last fall, he ranked in the top 25 in NCAA Division III in three statistical categories, including fifth nationally in total offense. Michael also became the eighth Muskie - and first quarterback - to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. These efforts earned Michael First Team All-NACC honors, building off a NACC Freshman of the Year honor in 2022 and back-to-back All-NACC honorable mention honors in 2022 and 2023.

Michael's efforts in the classroom have twice earned him NACC Scholar-Athlete recognition as well as CSC Academic All-District honors this past fall.

Michael has been recognized as a leader on campus, signified by his selection as a Blue and Gold Champion responsible for helping incoming freshmen navigate their transition to college life. He has also served as an Honor Marshal during Lakeland's commencement ceremonies and has worked to promote and support campus athletics as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Michael has also been lauded by instructors and administrators for his ability to build relationships, create inclusive environments, and encourage greater engagement on campus.

Information from the NACC release used here. Full NACC release: https://naccsports.org/news/2025/4/16/awards-nacc-announces-initial-recipients-of-nacc-far-award.aspx