Falcon Chad Ernst has been named the 2009 WIAC men's cross country Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete.

"This is a great honor for Chad, the team, the cross country program and for UWRF as it took all these groups to help make it possible for him to receive this award," said Falcon Coach Keven Syverson. "He is the first male cc runner since Earl Blodgett in 1978 to receive this award. We know Chad is very deserving of this honor."

A senior from Richfield, Minn., Ernst boasts a perfect 4.00 grade point average and is majoring in conservation with a minor in criminal justice. He is a two-time United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic selection and a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. Ernst has been recognized on UW-River Falls’ Dean’s List five times. He has received three academic scholarships and earned Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Merit awards.

Ernst, a team captain, finished 15th at the WIAC championship a season ago and secured All-Midwest Region honors in 2007. He holds the school record on an 8,000-meter course with a time of 24:55. He received his team ’s Rookie of the Year in 2006, Most Valuable Player in 2007 and Most Dedicated in 2008.

At this year's WIAC Meet he placed 28th overall with a time of 26:34, his best time this year.

Earlier this year, Ernst was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He has volunteered for many UW-River Falls Student-Athlete Advisory Committee activities including, the Trick- or-Treat Food Drive, Soles for Souls, Kid’s Night Out and Community Involvement Day. Ernst has served as secretary of the Natural Resource Management Club, a crew boss in UW-River Falls’ Wildfire Fighting Crew and a desk assistant and recycling representative in various residence halls.

Ernst is also a member of the Falcon indoor and outdoor track & field teams and holds the teams' second fastest times in the indoor 5,000-meter and outdoor 10,000-meter runs.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Max Sparger, who served as commissioner of the Wisconsin State University Conference from July, 1971 - July, 1993.

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average. In addition, he must be in his last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.