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Football NWC Athletic Communications

GPAC Champions of Character Award Given to Heitz

ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Northwestern football graduate Gabe Heitz has been selected as the Great Plains Athletic Conference's (GPAC) nominee for the Dr. LeRoy Walker Award.

The Dr. LeRoy Walker Award is one of the most prestigious awards in the NAIA and was created to honor athletes who went above and beyond in academics, athletics, leadership, and living the five core values of the NAIA Champions of Character Initiative – integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.

"Gabe is a servant leader with strong character and a selfless heart," Northwestern football head coach Matt McCarty said. "He has been a valuable member of our football program while also excelling in the classroom and impacting many others in our campus community. It has been a blessing getting to know Gabe over the past few years and I am excited to see the positive impact he will have in the future on those around him."

While at Northwestern, Heitz served as a peer tutor, a student ambassador, and as a NEXT program mentor. Heitz has earned praise from coaches and teammates as an outstanding representative of Northwestern, Raider athletics, and the football program. Heitz received the Aden De Jong Unsung Hero Award at the 2026 N-Dubs Awards Show, given to a student-athlete who goes above and beyond in servant leadership and character.

Heitz also served on the football team's FCA leadership team, coached youth football, and participated in Spring Service Partnerships to Baja, Mexico, Opelousas, Louisiana, and Waco, Texas.
Academically, Heitz maintained a 4.0 GPA, earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors twice, received business departmental honors, and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in accounting.

Originally from Adel, Iowa, Heitz now serves as an assurance associate at Forvis Mazars in Rogers, Arkansas.

Heitz advances to the national ballot for the Dr. LeRoy Walker Award. The recipient will be announced during NAIA National Awards Day in September.
Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut
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Players Mentioned

Gabe Heitz

#37 Gabe Heitz

LB
6' 1"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Gabe Heitz

#37 Gabe Heitz

6' 1"
Senior
LB