FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (April 23, 2020) – A pair of Northern Arizona student-athletes were recognized during the virtual Gold Axe Awards ceremony Wednesday night with
Helena McLeod (track & field) receiving the Gold Axe Award and
Brooks DeBisschop (men's basketball) being named the Distinguished Senior for the W.A. Franke College of Business.
The Gold Axe Award tradition dates back to 1933, a year after the student body adopted the axe as the symbol for the university's athletics. It is presented each semester to graduating seniors for their outstanding achievements and distinguished service to Northern Arizona University and the greater community.
McLeod is the Athletics Department's 55th Gold Axe recipient since 2004. The All-American long jumper will graduate in May with her degree in biomedical science and a minor in chemistry. She currently holds a 3.46 cumulative grade point average.
McLeod was the 2018 Big Sky indoor long jump champion and later that spring, she became only the second women's long jumper in program history to advance to the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. She wound up recording a new personal-best of 6.07m on her way to a 20th-place finish and honorable mention All-American honors.
The Blaustein, Germany native also serves on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is a four-time Golden Eagle Scholar-Athlete award recipient. She also earned numerous Big Sky All-Academic honors and was active in the community, particularly at the Flagstaff Family Food Center where she has volunteered over 100 hours.
DeBisschop earned the W.A. Franke College of Business' Distinguished Senior honor having posted a 3.97 cumulative grade point average in finance. On track to earn his degree in May, DeBisschop's latest recognition follows a line of honors which includes being named an Academic All-American and NAU's Golden Eagle Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year this spring.
He became the first Academic First Team All-American in NAU men's basketball history earlier this semester and is just one of 10 student-athletes all-time with multiple Academic All-American honors. The West Linn, Ore. native also is a four-time Golden Eagle Scholar-Athlete award recipient and Big Sky All-Academic selection.
DeBisschop posted his finest season on the hardwood as a senior, recording averages of 12.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game which all set new career-highs. He finished his career sixth all-time with 706 and earned his first career all-conference honor with a Third Team selection this season.
