GLIAC – The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced the recipients of the Fall 2025 Commissioner’s Awards.
Included in the standout group are the two-time GLIAC Volleyball Defensive Player of the Year, a five-time volleyball All-America selection, the GLIAC Women's Soccer Player, Offensive Player and Defensive Player of the Year, two NCAA Division II football national champions, the two-time GLIAC Men's Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year and the GLIAC Men's Cross Country 2025 Runner of the Year and conference champion.
Wayne State's Kayla Giroux and Grand Valley State's Koby Fraaza were the award's top vote getters and only two unanimous selections.
The awards are bestowed after the fall, winter and spring athletic seasons to six female and six male student-athletes of junior, senior or graduate student status that excel both in the classroom and in competition. All grade-point averages are based on a 4.0 scale.
The six female student-athlete recipients are:
• Madi Bajis, Saginaw Valley State
• Logyn Geren, Ferris State
• Kayla Giroux, Wayne State
• Natalie Harris, Parkside
• Kacy Lauer, Grand Valley State
• Abigail VanderKooi, Grand Valley State
The six male student-athlete recipients are:
• Koby Fraaza, Grand Valley State
• Mitchell Middleton, Ferris State
• Daniyal Rana, Parkside
• Brady Rose, Ferris State
• Alessandro Scialanga, Northern Michigan
• Brett Weaver, Grand Valley State
Madi Bajis • Saginaw Valley State • Soccer • Senior • Macomb, Mich. • 3.519 GPA • Business Management
Madi Bajis stacked up post season awards in her senior season, earning GLIAC Player of the Year, GLIAC Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-GLIAC, First Team D2CCA All-Midwest Region, and Second Team D2CCA All-America. Bajis led the GLIAC in both goals (12) and points (27) - career highs that surpassed her impressive sophomore totals. She also added three assists, powering an SVSU offense that ranked second in the conference in total goals and points while guiding the Cardinals to a 12-5-2 record. A consistent scoring threat, Bajis found the back of the net in 11 matches, posted a brace against Michigan Tech, and tallied three game-winning goals including a late strike at Davenport that secured a dramatic road victory. She also recorded two separate three-game scoring streaks, showcasing her consistency as one of the GLIAC's most dangerous attacking players.
Logyn Geren • Ferris State • Volleyball • Senior • Fort Myers, Fla. • 4.0 GPA • Accountancy
Ferris State University senior Logyn Geren had her best season as a Bulldog, starting all 35 matches as one of the top middle hitters for a FSU team that claimed the Midwest Regional Championship for the second consecutive year and advanced to the NCAA D2 Elite Eight. Geren ranked among the team leaders in numerous categories with 224 kills, 131 digs, 88 total blocks and 29 service aces in 35 matches. She appeared in 118 total sets as the Bulldogs compiled a 27-8 overall record record with both a league and regional championship. An All-GLIAC honoree, Geren earned all-tournament team honors in multiple events, including the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional. She was the NCAA Division II Elite 90 Award recipient in 2024 and has been a four-time GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team honoree at Ferris State.
Kayla Giroux • Wayne State • Volleyball • Senior • Flat Rock, Mich. • 3.991 GPA • Global Supply Chain Management
Wayne State University senior middle blocker Kayla Giroux has become the first Warrior volleyball standout to twice be selected as a GLIAC Commissioner's Award recipient. Earlier this month, Giroux was honored as a College Sports Communicators (CSC) First Team Academic All-American, the first two-time Academic All-American in program history and WSU’s 26th two-time honoree regardless of sport. Overall, she’s now a five-time All-American (AVCA x2, CSC x2, D2CCA). During the 2025 season, Giroux paced the GLIAC and ranked 10th nationally in hitting percentage (.391) while churning out 447 kills, good for second in the league and 20th in Division II. That .391 hitting percentage is the second best in program history, a chart in which she also owns first and third place. Among the country's leaders, she was also 19th in points per set (4.68), 26th in kills per set (3.96), 33rd in total blocks (124), and 45th in blocks per set (1.10). On the Warriors' career charts, the middle blocker is slotted first in hitting percentage (.372), second in kills (1,425), fourth in block assists (349), fifth in total stops (417), seventh in kills per set (3.26), and ninth in solo blocks (68). Academically, the Global Supply Chain Management major graduated in 3.5 years and earned a spot on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (term GPA 3.5+) all seven semesters, including her sixth term with a 4.00 this past fall. She maintained a 3.99 cumulative grade-point average along the way. The four-time First Team All-GLIAC selection (first in program history) was the 2022 GLIAC Freshman of the Year as well as the AVCA Midwest Freshman of the Year.
Natalie Harris • Parkside • Volleyball • Junior • Racine, Wis. • 3.595 GPA • Sports Management
University of Wisconsin–Parkside junior libero Natalie Harris continues to distinguish herself as one of the premier defensive players in the conference and nationally, while also excelling in the classroom. A Sports Management major, Harris carries a 3.595 cumulative grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. On the court, Harris enjoyed a historic 2025 season for the Rangers. She started all 28 matches for a Parkside squad that finished the year with a 19–9 record. Harris was named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year, earned first team All-GLIAC honors, and was recognized as a first team All-Region selection and AVCA All-American. Statistically, Harris led the GLIAC in both digs per set (5.37) and total digs (564), ranking 14th nationally in digs per set. Her 564 digs were the third-most in a single season in program history, further cementing her place among the elite defensive specialists in Parkside volleyball history. Over the course of her career, Harris has compiled 1,584 digs, the third-most in program history, and has led the GLIAC in both digs and digs per set in each of the past two seasons. She is a two-time GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time first team All-GLIAC selection, and a one-time second team All-GLIAC honoree.
Kacy Lauer • Grand Valley State • Soccer • Senior • Lake Orion, Mich. • 3.79 GPA • Allied Health Sciences
Kacy Lauer has been named a recipient of the GLIAC Commissioner’s Award for the first time in career after a standout senior season. Lauer was named a First Team All-American by United Soccer Coaches and D2CCA. The senior also earned First Team Scholar All-American honors by United Soccer Coaches and College Sports Communicators Second Team Scholar All-American honors. Lauer put up a career high six goals and five assists for 17 points this season from her primary defensive outside back position. She was named a First Team Midwest All-Region performer by United Soccer Coaches and D2CCA. Lauer also was named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-GLIAC First Team honors. The Lake Orion native appeared and started in all 22 games for GVSU this season logging over 1800 minutes to help the Lakers to a GLIAC regular season and tournament championship. In her career at GVSU, Lauer appeared in 93 games and was a two-time All-American and three-time All-GLIAC performer.
Abigail VanderKooi • Grand Valley State • Cross Country • Redshirt Senior • Freemont, Mich. • 3.957 GPA • Nursing
For the first time in her academic-athletic career, Abigail VanderKooi has been named a recipient of the GLIAC Commissioner’s Award. This season, VanderKooi helped lead Grand Valley State to their eighth NCAA Division II Women’s Cross Country Championship title. She was the first Laker to cross the finish line, finishing sixth at a personal-best 20:25.6 to earn her first U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-America honor. Prior to the national championships, the redshirt-senior was named 2025 GLIAC Cross Country Runner-Up with a 20:29.1 finish in the 6000m before finishing third at the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Cross Country Championships to earn her third USTFCCCA All-Region honor. She accomplished the feats all while achieving a perfect 4.00 GPA in the fall semester to maintain an impressive 3.957 cumulative GPA. Throughout her career, the Fremont, Mich. native has captured four First-Team All-GLIAC honors, three USTFCCCA All-Region honors and two GLIAC podium finishes. A seven-time NCAA DII Championship qualifier, VanderKooi has also excelled in the classroom. She has been named to the President’s List (4.00+ semester GPA) on four occasions and to the Dean’s List (3.5+ semester GPA) thrice.
Koby Fraaza • Grand Valley State • Cross Country • Redshirt Senior • Richland, Mich. • 3.912 GPA • Biomedical Sciences
Koby Fraaza caps off an impressive collegiate cross country career with one more honor: Fall 2025 GLIAC Commissioner’s Award Recipient. Fraaza began his season with a second place finish at the MSU Auto Owners Spartan Invitational before finishing in the top 25 in the elite division of the Notre Dame Joe Piane Invitational. During the championship season, Fraaza was key in helping his Lakers secure their 23rd consecutive men’s GLIAC and NCAA Division II Midwest Region Championship titles. He was named 2025 GLIAC Cross Country Champion ahead of a third-place finish at the Regional Championships. At the NCAA DII Championships in Kenosha, Wis., Fraaza notched a personal-best 10k finish at 29:50.4 to place fifth overall. He excelled in the classroom, as well, achieving a perfect 4.00 semester GPA to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.912. During his time at GVSU, Fraaza has accumulated three First-Team All-GLIAC titles, three U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region honors and four USTFCCCA All-America honors. Academically, the Richland, Mich. native has been named a GLIAC Commissioner’s Award recipient on two previous occasions (Fall 2023, Fall 2024), has achieved a perfect 4.00 semester GPA to be named to the President’s List five times and has earned a spot on the Dean’s List (3.5+ GPA) four times.
Mitchell Middleton • Ferris State • Football • Senior • Middleville, Mich. • 3.86 GPA • Mechanical Engineering Technology
Ferris State University senior kicker and punter Mitch Middleton capped off an outstanding collegiate career by helping lead FSU to its fourth NCAA Division II National Championship in the last five years this past fall. Middleton ranked as one of the country’s top punters, averaging 44.4 yards per punt with 21 tries for 932 yards. He placed seven punts inside the 20-yard line and also served as the team’s primary kickoff person while converting all seven of his PAT attempts on the year. The All-GLAIC First Team honoree previously served as the top placekicker on FSU’s 2024 national title team and was a Fred Mitchell Award nominee in his collegiate career. He claimed Division II Conference Commissioners Association Academic All-America First Team laurels this fall and was a four-time GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team honoree. Middleton’s play helped FSU win its last 30 games of his collegiate career and he played role in FSU breaking an all-time college football mark with 844 total points this campaign.
Daniyal Rana • Parkside • Soccer • Redshirt Senior • Waukesha, Wis. • 3.778 GPA • Master's of Business Administration
University of Wisconsin–Parkside redshirt senior goalkeeper Daniyal Rana , a native of Waukesha, Wis., and a graduate of Waukesha North High School, Rana has combined elite goalkeeping performance with outstanding academic achievement throughout his Parkside career. An MBA student, Rana carries a 3.778 cumulative grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. During the 2025 season, Rana started all 16 matches for the Rangers, anchoring the defense for a Parkside team that posted a 5-5-6 overall record. He was named GLIAC Goalkeeper of the Year for the second consecutive season, while also earning first team All-GLIAC and All-Region honors. Rana led the GLIAC with 111 total saves, finishing 19 saves ahead of the next closest goalkeeper in the league. He recorded three shutouts on the season and consistently kept Parkside competitive in conference and nonconference play with his shot-stopping ability and command of the back line. Over the course of his career, Rana has established himself as one of the conference’s top goalkeepers. He is a two-time GLIAC Goalkeeper of the Year and a two-time first team All-GLIAC selection.
Brady Rose • Ferris State • Football • Senior • Muskegon, Mich. • 3.81 GPA • Construction Management
Ferris State University football standout Brady Rose helped lead the Bulldogs to their fourth NCAA Division II National Championship in the last five years this past fall, culminating with a perfect 16-0 record. Rose started as FSU’s slot receiver and also also saw action as a running back, quarterback, punt returner, kick returner and holder. He ranked as one of the team’s top receivers with 26 catches for 348 yards and two scores, averaging 13.4 yards per reception. Additionally, he ran 75 times for 432 yards and eight scores, tallying nearly six yards per carry. Rose earned All-GLAIC recognition this fall and was a Division II Conference Commissioners Association Academic All-American. HIs play helped the Bulldogs win the final 30 games of his collegiate career and he played a key role as FSU set an all-time college football record with 844 points this fall. Rose won four NCAA D2 National Championships and two state high school championships during his playing career.
Alessandro Scialanga • Northern Michigan • Soccer • Senior • Sutri, Italy • 3.9 GPA • Business
Senior captain Alessandro Scialanga (Sutri, Italy) will etch his name into the NMU men’s soccer record book one more time, becoming the first to earn a prestigious GLIAC Commissioner's Award. This past season, the left-footed leader was the heart and soul of a Wildcat club that climbed to numerous record-setting heights: the first NCAA Tournament appearance, a GLIAC Postseason Championship title, and earning a home GLIAC playoff game, to name a few. Though his stat line may not jump off the page at you (one goal, three assists, five goal contributions, 1382 minutes played), Scialanga brought more than just raw points. He exuded passion and leadership. After playing the entire ninety minutes in the team’s first six matches, ‘Ale’ went down with a serious injury at Roosevelt on September 28, 2025, and would miss four matches before returning to his full-time duties on October 19, 2025. Aside from the game he got injured in and his first appearance back at Davenport on October 17, the captain logged the full 90 minutes in 13 of his 17 games played, and never played less than 84 minutes the entire season. In 2025, Ale was an All-GLIAC First-Team Defender, a D2CCA and United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team selection, and earned CSC Academic All-District Team honors for his work in the classroom. At the time of nomination, Scialanga held a 3.9 cumulative GPA while majoring in Business. Scialanga will depart NMU as the first NMU men’s soccer GLIAC Commissioners Award recipient in program history, a 2x All-GLIAC First-Team Defender, 2x D2CCA All-Midwest Region Second Team Selection, United Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team selection, and having earned CSC Academic All-District Team honors in three seasons wearing the Green and Gold.
Brett Weaver • Grand Valley State • Football • Senior • Traverse City, Mich. • 3.85 GPA • Accounting
Brett Weaver has been named a recipient of the GLIAC Commissioner’s Award for the first time in his career after a standout senior season. Weaver was tabbed a College Sports Communicator Academic All-American following his senior campaign. In addition, Weaver garnered First-Team All-GLIAC plaudits and D2CCA Super Region 3 honors. Weaver graded out at a 94.7 percent efficiency rate for the season and posted. Weaver was a four-time GLIAC Academic Excellence honoree and a two-time Academic All-American. GVSU was 42-8 during his career with two GLIAC titles and three NCAA Division II playoff appearances.
