Evan Buss (football) and Madison Mathews (softball), both senior student-athletes at Northern Illinois University, have been named the university’s 2025 recipients of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Medal of Excellence. They will be honored alongside other recipients from across the MAC at the 2025 MAC Honors Dinner Ceremony, set for Thursday, May 29, in Cleveland.
Buss, a mechanical engineering major with a 3.90 GPA, started 10 games at right tackle during the 2024 season. He played a key role in an offense that averaged 203.8 rushing yards per game—ranking 16th in the nation—and anchored an offensive line that led the MAC in fewest sacks allowed (1.46 per game). Hailing from Kimberly, Wisconsin, Buss appeared in 46 games during his NIU career, starting 22. He is a two-time Academic All-MAC selection and has twice been recognized as a College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honoree.
Mathews, originally from Yuma, Arizona, recently completed her master’s degree in higher education and student affairs with a perfect 4.0 GPA, after earning a bachelor’s degree in public administration. On the softball field, she earned First Team All-MAC honors by batting .370, driving in 38 runs, and tallying 14 doubles and 7 home runs. She has received Academic All-MAC recognition twice and is also a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection. Beyond athletics, she holds multiple leadership roles, including President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for both NIU and the MAC.
The MAC Medal of Excellence is awarded annually to one male and one female student-athlete from each of the 12 conference institutions. Honorees must have participated in a MAC-sponsored varsity sport, maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50, and demonstrated outstanding performance in academics, athletics, leadership, and service.
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