Dupage Policy Journal

Giovanni Weeks, a football player from Wheaton, has been named the 2024-25 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men’s Student-Athlete of the Year. The announcement was made by the league office on Monday afternoon.

Weeks, who is the CCIW’s all-time leading rusher, graduated cum laude with a business degree from Wheaton. He is the second consecutive recipient of this award from Wheaton, following Anthony Fitzgerald. Since 2019, he is also the fifth student-athlete from Wheaton to receive this honor and the fifth football player to be selected.

The selection process for this accolade began with nominations in April and May, followed by voting from the league’s Senior Woman Administrators and Faculty Athletics Representatives in June.

During his tenure with the Thunder, Weeks played six seasons due to an injury in his freshman year in 2019 and disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020-21. His achievements include being a three-time All-American and receiving First Team honors from various associations in 2023. Additionally, he earned four-time All-Region recognition (2021-24), four-time All-CCIW honors (2021-24), and finished conference play with a record-setting 4,122 yards.

Weeks contributed significantly to his team's advancement to the second round of NCAA playoffs in both 2021 and 2023. He ranks tenth in Division III history with 488 career points scored and holds several records at Wheaton College for rushing yards and touchdowns.

Off the field, Weeks excelled academically as well. He was named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Team three times (2021-23) and selected for the CCIW Dave Wrath Academic All-Conference Team thrice.

His commitment extended beyond academics and athletics through service activities. In summer 2024, he worked as a full-time camp counselor at Kanakuk Camps. Weeks also participated in mission trips across Tijuana, Mississippi, and Cuba between 2020 to 2023. Moreover, he led a Young Life ministry team in Elmhurst for eight weeks in 2022 and served as a small group leader for Wheaton's football team between 2023 to 2024.

Reflecting on his experience at Wheaton College, Weeks stated: “Playing football at Wheaton College has shaped who I am in every way, physically, mentally, and spiritually...what has left the greatest mark on me is the Christ-centered culture that has taught me that life is not about me.”

The list of past recipients includes notable names such as Anthony Fitzgerald (Men’s Swimming & Diving), Steven Hermsen (Men’s Track & Field), Jake Reinhardt (Baseball), Corey Kennedy (Football), among others spanning different sports disciplines since its inception.