Handrick named 2025-26 Roy W. LeClere Award winner

Ripon College senior and Red Hawks men’s soccer member Connor Handrick has been named the 2025-26 Roy W. LeClere Award winner, as announced by the Midwest Conference (MWC) Wednesday, Nov. 19.

The Roy W. LeClere Award is presented annually to a senior male MWC student-athlete who posted the highest grade point average during their junior year. Handrick’s achievement marks the fourth LeClere Award honor for Ripon College since the award’s inception in 1983.

Double majoring in exercise science – sports management and finance, Handrick carries a 4.0 GPA while acting as treasurer to both the Ripon College chapter of Phi Epsilon Kappa, the honor society for exercise science and pre-health majors, and the College’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Handrick also holds membership in Ripon College’s Laurel Society and Chi Alpha Sigma, the national college athlete honor society.

A three-year member of Red Hawks men’s soccer as a defender, Handrick scored two goals for Ripon while helping the program post a 29-17-10 record during his career, including 17 shutouts. After helping the team to its first MWC Tournament berth since 2022, Handrick was named the 2025-26 Elite 20 Award winner for men’s soccer by the conference office.

The Elite 20 Award is given annually to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade point average, participating in his or her respective sport’s culminating championship or tournament event.

“We’re really proud of Connor and everything he’s done in his time here at Ripon,” Head Coach of Men’s Soccer Marco Rhein said. “From the moment he arrived here, he’s been committed to improving himself, our community and our program. There aren’t many young men who work harder than he does, both on and off the field. He’s been a great leader and example for other players, students and athletes at Ripon College.”

Handrick is a two-time MWC Academic All-Conference recipient and a one-time CSC Academic All-District honoree.

For the full conference release on the award, click here.

Previous Ripon College recipients are Matthew Seeber (2024-25), Cormac Madigan (2021-22) and Jason Smith (2010-11).