ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Northwestern Director of Athletic Training Seth Wolles has been selected as the 2025-26 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Athletic Trainer of the Year. Wolles has led Northwestern’s athletic training department since 2020. He earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Augustana University (S.D.) in 2015 and a master’s degree from Wayne State College in 2017.
“I’m honored my colleagues in the conference think so highly of me. It is a privilege to continue to lead Northwestern’s sports medicine department,” Wolles said. “I give all the credit to my staff – Kayla Tindall, Julia Vander Stelt, and Natalie Nieuwsma. We have a selfless group who consistently helps each other out.”
Wolles recently completed his sixth year as Northwestern’s Director of Athletic Training, overseeing the sports medicine needs of the Red Raiders while leading a staff of four full-time athletic trainers and four student athletic trainers. He serves as the primary athletic trainer for football and men’s wrestling. In addition to his duties at Northwestern, Wolles serves as chair of the GPAC Athletic Trainers Committee, is Board of Certification (BOC) certified and is a member of the Northwestern athletic leadership team.
Wolles’s expertise was especially evident this year as he helped provide emergency medical care following the football team’s bus accident while traveling to a road game. He also coordinated sports medicine coverage for the GPAC Men’s Wrestling Championships, keeping the mats safe for competition and providing injury care for student-athletes across the conference.
“I’m thankful the incredible work that Seth does for our athletic department is recognized by his GPAC colleagues,” said Vice President for Athletics Tony Hoops. “He represents our mission through the daily interactions and care that he provides for our student-athletes. We are blessed to have he and his AT staff’s elite care provided within a crucial position at Northwestern.”
GPAC Commissioner Corey Westra said Wolles has become a respected leader among the conference’s athletic trainers.
“Seth is most deserving of this honor in the GPAC,” Westra said. “He has emerged as a leader among our league athletic trainers and was elected chair this year. Seth is a calm and thoughtful voice during discussions and consistently helps find solutions that benefit his colleagues and the conference.”
Away from Northwestern, Wolles is also a certified Iowa high school basketball official.
As the GPAC recipient, Wolles will be the conference’s nominee for the NAIA Athletic Trainer of the Year award. The award is selected by a vote of the conference’s athletic trainers.
