Aurora University's Tim Mackey has been selected as the Northern Athletics Conference Man of the Year for the 2011-12 academic year, as chosen by the league's Senior Woman Administrators' Standing Committee.
"I am very honored to receive this recognition from the Northern Athletics Conference," Mackey said. "I would like to thank Aurora University for all of the opportunities afforded to its student athletes. I have been given so many opportunities to work with people in the Aurora community and with fellow students on campus. I am grateful for all of my experiences and people I had a chance to interact with in my four years at Aurora University."
Mackey, a third baseman on the Spartans' baseball team, attended East Leyden High School and graduated from Aurora this spring with a double major in business and marketing, and a minor in professional sales with a 3.62 GPA. This season he was named to the Capital One Academic All-America Third Team selected by CoSIDA, after he received Capital One Academic All-District honors the past two seasons.
He had a career batting average of .376 with 145 runs scored, 94 RBIs, 33 doubles, four triples, nine home runs and 79 stolen bases in 132 games played. His 79 stolen bases are two behind teammate Josh Davidson for the Spartan career record.
A three-time NAC Scholar-Athlete, Mackey was named to the NAC All-Sportsmanship team each of the last three seasons. As a junior he was named to the All-NAC First Team and All-Region Second Team. In his senior season, Mackey was named to the All-NAC Second Team, D3baseball.com All-American Third Team, as well as ABCA/Rawlings and D3baseball.com Midwest All-Region second teams.
"Tim developed into the quintessential student-athlete," Aurora head baseball coach Shaun Neitzel said. "When we recruited him four years ago, we knew we were getting a solid student-athlete from a great family, with strong values. We have had many players just like him with similar backgrounds that have had success at AU, but Tim took it to a completely different level. From his work in the community, in the classroom and on the playing field he truly has reached a level of excellence that will set the bar pretty high for those who follow him.
"Tim is an outstanding choice to represent our conference as the NAC Man of the Year. I am honored and privileged to have been able to coach Tim and will consider him a lifelong friend and a Spartan for life."
In the community Mackey has been a project leader on the Angel Tree Project, a service effort that provides Christmas gifts to underprivileged children who may not otherwise receive gifts. Additionally he was a project leader of the Wayside Cross Walk-A-Mile to help children and families in need, while also volunteering his time at the AU/Head Start School and as a youth baseball coach.
"Tim is truly the epitome of the DIII Student-Athlete," Aurora Director of Athletics Mark Walsh commented. "He is a great student, accomplished player who maximizes his abilities, and difference maker on our campus at AU and in the community at-large. Tim always impresses me whether watching him or interacting with him off the field. He has been a contributor in leadership roles both on his team and within our department."
Aurora SWA Nicki Pieart mirrors Walsh's comments. "Tim embodies the NCAA DIII definition of a student-athlete. He excelled in his sport, while also taking pride in his academics and being passionate about giving back to his University and community. I am so proud of Tim and could not think of a better student-athlete to represent Aurora University and its mission."
Each of the NAC's 12 co-ed members may nominate one male student-athlete for the annual award. The SWASC uses a combination of the following criteria in selection of the award: athletic excellence, academic achievement, service and leadership, and personal statement.