WVU announces Nickolich, Iron Mountaineer award winners

This marks the first time since the award has been presented that a father (Ray Wilcox, 1992) and a son have been honored with the award.

Each spring since 1991, the Blue & Gold News has sponsored the Tommy Nickolich Memorial Award. While the award does not automatically guarantee a scholarship, it recognizes a walk-on team member who has distinguished himself through his attitude and work ethic. The award is presented in memory of Tommy Nickolich, a former WVU player (1979-82) who died of cancer in 1983. 

Wilcox is in his fourth year as a member of the football team and has made his mark as a valuable member of the special teams. He played in all 13 games in 2023 and saw action on 120 snaps, including 97 on special teams. Because of his hard work, he saw his playing time increase last season. He played on a season-high 23 snaps against Duquesne, registering a 34-yard interception return and a season-best 17 special teams snaps at Houston.

He was named the WVU special teams scout player of the week for the Oklahoma State game in 2022 and the special teams scout player of the week for the Kansas game in 2021.

Wilcox earned All-Academic Big 12 Second Team honors in 2023 and has earned spots on WVU’s Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll and the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

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Wyatt Milum, Sean Martin, Preston Fox, Garrett Greene and Austin Brinkman were named the recipients of the 2024 Iron Mountaineer Award, presented to the most outstanding performers in WVU’s offseason strength and conditioning program.

Since 1996, 82 players have been tabbed with Iron Mountaineer distinction, with 18 players earning the award more than once.

 Milum is a senior offensive lineman, Martin is a senior defensive lineman, Fox is a redshirt junior wide receiver, Greene is a senior quarterback and Brinkman is a senior long snapper.

The winners are the best in the testing at the conclusion of winter conditioning, measuring the broad jump, vertical jump, bench, squat, power clean lift, 225 bench, 40-yard sprint, pro shuttle, three cone, 60-yard shuttle and the 10/20-yard sprint. The winners are selected from three groups: OL/DL, QB/RB/WR/DB and FB/TE/LB/SP. The top performers in each category are selected by their teammates.

The distinctive award is a 6.2-pound coal statue made entirely of native West Virginian natural resources: coal, wood and natural wood stain. One permanent Iron Mountaineer with the names of all winners is on display in the WVU strength and conditioning complex.

      Past winners include 2023 - Doug Nester, Jared Bartlett, Marcis Floyd, Tony Mathis Jr.; 2022 – Zach Frazier, Jared Bartlett, Graeson Malashevich, Doug Nester; 2021 – Leddie Brown, Zach Frazier, Graeson Malashevich, Tony Mathis Jr., Scottie Young Jr.; 2020 - Dante Bonamico, Noah Guzman, James Gmiter and Bryce Ford-Wheaton; 2019 – Josh Chandler-Semedo, Reese Donahue, Colton McKivitz, Alec Sinkfield; 2018 – Gary Jennings Jr., Colton McKivitz, David Sills V, Dylan Tonkery; 2017 – David Long Jr., Jon Lewis, Elijah Wellman; 2016 – Darrien Howard, Tyler Orlosky, Daikiel Shorts Jr., Elijah Wellman; 2015 – Jared Barber, Karl Joseph, Tyler Orlosky; 2014 – Cody Clay, Mark Glowinski, Daryl Worley; 2013 – Connor Arlia, Isaiah Bruce, Will Clarke; 2012 – Jeff Braun, Will Clarke, Ryan Nehlen, Taige Redman; 2011 – Will Clarke, Najee Goode, Keith Tandy; 2010 – Matt Lindamood, Chris Neild, Noel Devine, Don Barclay, Keith Tandy; 2009 – Noel Devine, Chris Neild, Nate Sowers, J.T. Thomas, Reed Williams; 2008 – Zac Cooper, J.T. Thomas, Nate Sowers; 2007 – Keilen Dykes, Ovid Goulbourne, Darius Reynaud; 2006 – Pat Liebig, Marc Magro, Steve Slaton; 2005 – Craig Wilson, Owen Schmitt, Jason Colson; 2004 – Craig Wilson, Scott Gyorko, Mike Lorello; 2003 – Quincy Wilson, Pat Liebig; 2002 – Rasheed Marshall, Lance Nimmo; 2001 – David Upchurch, Shawn Hackett; 2000 – Avon Cobourne, Khori Ivy, Chris Edmonds, Antwan Lake; 1999 – Greg Robinette, Barrett Green, Boo Sensabaugh, Khori Ivy; 1998 – Tanner Russell, Boo Sensabaugh, Eric de Groh, Shawn Foreman;1997 – Curtis Keaton, Steve Lippe; 1996 – Bernardo Amerson, Charles Emanuel.