Northern Illinois University seniors Natalie Hamp (gymnastics) and Liam Soraghan (football) are the 2023 Mid-American Conference Medal of Excellence recipients for NIU, the league office announced Thursday. The pair will be presented with the awards, along with the Medal of Excellence honorees from every MAC school, during the 2023 MAC Honors Dinner on June 1 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Hamp is a two-time MAC Champion on uneven parallel bars and a three-time NCAA Regional participant, becoming just the fourth Huskie all-time, and the first since 2011, to qualify for NCAA Regionals at least three times. Hamp, who carries a 3.99 cumulative grade point average and will graduate with a degree in kinesiology this summer, served as team captain for the Huskies in 2022. The Ionia, Michigan native ranks among NIU’s most accomplished gymnasts all-time on uneven parallel bars. She was a three-time Academic All-MAC honoree.

Soraghan, a Dearborn, Michigan product who spent six seasons as a member of the NIU football team, earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering in December 2021 and went on to graduate with a master’s in business administration last December with a 3.767 GPA.  A tight end with primary responsibilities as a blocker, Soraghan played in every game for the Huskies over the last four seasons, winning a MAC Championship with the Huskies in 2021. He caught a career high nine passes for three touchdowns in 2022. Soraghan was a three-time Academic All-MAC selection.

The Medal of Excellence is an award presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete from the graduating class of each of the 12 Conference member institutions.  Recipients, selected by their institutions, must have displayed academic success with a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA, athletic excellence, leadership and service during their careers.