Northwestern College graduate and former linebacker Gabe Heitz is the 2026 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) nominee for the NAIA Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Award. It 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.
An Adel native, Heitz served as a peer tutor, a student ambassador, and as a NEXT program mentor while at Northwestern. The NEXT program supports students with physical and intellectual disabilities by helping with coursework, answering questions, sharing meals and ensuring they felt fully welcomed into campus life.
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. He 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.
In the classroom, Heitz maintained a 4.0 GPA, earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors twice and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in accounting. He now serves an assurance associate at Forvis Mazars in Rogers, Arkansas.
The Walker Award winner will be announced on September 15th.
