2018 Jostens Trophy Winner

"Nate is an incredibly deserving recipient of the Jostens Award," said Ohio Wesleyan head coach Mike DeWitt. "His receiving this prestigious award is a credit to Nate's incredible work ethic and determination to succeed in every facet of his life, and his efforts along with his eagerness to give back to his community will leave a lasting legacy for our men's basketball program and the entire Ohio Wesleyan family."

Axelrod, a native of Dublin, Ohio, is the first Ohio Wesleyan player to receive the Jostens Trophy. The Battling Bishops point guard was named North Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year for the third year in a row, making him the first men's basketball player in conference history to be so honored. He was a first-team All-NCAC selection for the fourth straight season, only the third men's basketball player in conference history to accomplish that feat. He was named NCAC Newcomer of the Year in 2015.

A two-time All-America selection, Axelrod ranks fifth in NCAA Division III in assists (6.8/game). He led the NCAC in scoring (19.2 points/game) and assists, becoming the first player in conference history to lead the league in scoring and assists in a season. Axelrod also ranks second in the league in free throw percentage (.857), is tied for ninth in steals (1.2/game), and is 14th in 3-point field goals (1.9/game). He finished his career as the second Ohio Wesleyan men's basketball player and the fourth in NCAC history to surpass the 2000-point mark, and is Ohio Wesleyan's all-time leader in assists (655) and consecutive games started (114).

"Nate Axelrod epitomizes the values of the scholar-athlete at the Division III level," said Ohio Wesleyan President Rock Jones, Ph.D.  "He has achieved remarkable accomplishments as an athlete, as a student, and as a leader on campus.  He has made an enormous impact at Ohio Wesleyan and will make an even larger one in his life after college.  I can't imagine anyone more deserving or more exemplary than Nate."

Off the court, Axelrod is a finance economics major. He has twice earned Academic All-District distinction, with those honors coming in the past two seasons. He is eligible for Academic All-America consideration, which he also earned in 2017. Both Academic All-District and Academic All-America process are conducted by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Axelrod is active with Big Brothers/Big Sisters as well as in service to the Delaware community through his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. He is also a volunteer with the ALS Foundation in Delaware, Ohio. He has served his fellow athletes at OWU as a member of the Bishops Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

"It's a huge honor and really means a lot," said Axelrod. "This is something I never thought would happen when I stepped on campus four years ago. I have to give a lot of credit to my family, my coaches, and my teammates. They've taught me a lot of life lessons both on and off the court. This really reflects all the work I've put in over the past 21 years of my life, and I'm really grateful for this honor."

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