It is with great pleasure that Benedictine University announces the winners of the Tom Wirtz Award for Courage and Integrity for the 2023-24 school year.
 
Less than fifteen years after graduation from Benedictine in 1973, where he became the football team captain his senior year and met his wife, Tom Wirtz was diagnosed with a disease which ultimately took his strength, his kidneys and his life.  However, the disease and its complications never took away his smile, his laugh, his love for his family, faith and friends.  During his fight with the disease Tom continued to coach and mentor his children, organized events for his friends, enjoyed life and worked hard.  His quiet leadership was a beacon of hope for everyone who came in contact with him.  Unless you were one of his close friends, you would not have known of his private battle with an unforgiving disease. In his last few days in the hospital Tom said he had a good life.  He was a perfect example of someone who made the best out of whatever hand he was dealt.
 
Recipients of this prestigious award must be in good standing with the university, have attended BenU for at least two years, must be a senior, have absolute high integrity, is a leader by example and is an individual who overcame obstacles during their time.
 
Here are the winners for 2023-24:
MALE: Nick Shelton – Football/Baseball
Shelton earned all-conference honors in football twice and also earned all-conference in baseball. The pitcher missed a chunk of the baseball season this spring but was able to return to the field and help the baseball team win the conference tournament and reach the NCAA Regional. Shelton transferred in to Benedictine and majored in communication arts and posted a 2.96 GPA.
 
Shelton led the football team with 38 catches for 535 yards in the fall to go with four touchdowns. The Orland Park, Ill. native scored five touchdowns in 2022, snaring 14 passes for 218 yards. On the diamond in the spring the side-armer pitched 10 times in relief and was 3-2 with a 4.94 ERA as Benedictine won their first ever NACC Tournament Championship and advanced to the NCAA Regional. Shelton pitched 11 times in 2023 and was 3-0 with a 3.19 ERA and four saves.
 
FEMALE: Bella Lodico – Softball
Lodico graduated from Benedictine in three years with a 3.5 GPA while also playing softball, being part of a program that took her in when she needed it. She was an all-conference selection this year and is currently working an internship working with children as part of her degree in psychology and social work.
 
Lodico served as a team captain in 2024 and finished 16-9 in the circle with a 2.95 ERA in her first season taking over as a starter. The left-handed pitcher ranked third in the conference in wins and second in strikeouts with 102 over her 139.1 innings of work.

The list of past winners of the award is below:
PAST WIRTZ AWARD WINNERS