(KIWA Staff Photo)
Sioux City and Orange City, Iowa – Northwestern College (Iowa) Director of Athletic Trainer Seth Wolles has been named the 2025-26 Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Athletic Trainer of the Year, an honor presented by Hauff Mid-America Sports. The award is voted for on the conference’s athletic trainers.
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.
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.
“I’m thankful the incredible work that Seth does for our athletic department is recognized by his GPAC colleagues,” Northwestern Vice President for Athletics Tony Hoops said. “He represents our mission through the daily interactions and care he provides for our student-athletes. We are blessed to have him and his athletic training staff providing elite care in such a vital role 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.
