Each Spring, the SOE holds an annual ceremony to honor students with the Wardian Student Leadership Awards. This award is presented to students who demonstrate excellent scholastic achievements and a commitment to education through leadership, service, and integrity of character. This year, the Department of Sport & Physical Education selected Patrick O’Rourke, who studied Sport Management at Gonzaga, as its 2017 Wardian Award recipient.

 Dr. Heidi Nordstrom, Assistant Professor of Sport & Physical Education, remarked, “I am lucky to have had Patrick in multiple classes and I have also served as his academic advisor. Patrick is the ideal student: he is a pleasure to have in class, always has a smile on his face, and is excited to learn and ask questions to expand his knowledge. He works great collaboratively with his fellow classmates and works hard to get the most out of his education.”

Patrick shows great initiative in taking advantage of opportunities to further his career in sports. He spent his 2017 spring break with Dr. Jimmy Smith and other students in Phoenix, AZ, where he met with professionals in baseball and professional hockey.

Dr. Smith had this to say: “It is wonderful to see a student like Patrick care so much about his academic career through constant engagement with his peers and professors, and invest in his future career by traveling on the Sport Management experiential opportunity to Phoenix. Any organization will be lucky to hire Patrick.”

Dr. Karen Rickel added, “Patrick is a leader in the classroom and in the community and will have a positive impact wherever he goes after graduation.”

During his time at Gonzaga, Patrick completed two internships: one with Spokane Hoopfest (as the Public Relations and Marketing intern) and one with the football program at Eastern Washington University. He is applying for various graduate programs and sports positions within major league sports.