Purdue Northwest Track & Field senior student-athlete Eli Baumann (Allendale, Mich./Allendale) has been honored as a recipient of the 2026 Spring GLIAC Commissioner's Award.

Baumann becomes the first PWN Track & Field student-athlete to earn this prestigious honor and third PNW student-athlete overall. Baumann had an incredible senior season with several top marks and records including a phenomenal end to the season at the 2026 GLIAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships where he took the javelin throw title and was given Field Athlete of the Meet and High Point Athlete of the Meet at the conclusion of the championships becoming the first-ever PNW track and field student-athlete to receive these honors. Baumann also showcased his talents in the classroom with a cumulative GPA of 3.79 as an engineering major, representing the true meaning of a student-athlete.

The awards are bestowed after the fall, winter and spring athletic seasons to six female and six male student-athletes of junior, senior or graduate student status that excel both in the classroom and in competition. All grade-point averages are based on a 4.0 scale.