Ikard, a three-time All-Big 12 selection and OU’s starting center was announced as the winner of the 2013 Wuerffel Trophy.

​“This is a tremendous honor, just overwhelming,” said Ikard, a senior from Oklahoma City. “When you consider all that this trophy represents from academic achievement to athletic achievement along with community service, I think this definitely ranks up there as the biggest honor I’ve received.

​”Coach (Bob) Stoops consistently preaches to us about being active in the community and being dedicated in the classroom, and to receive this honor is unbelievable. I’ve been fortunate to have been given an amazing platform as a student athlete, and I’m proud to be standing here today.”

Ikard is the first Sooner and third offensive lineman to win the award.​

“I’m thrilled that Gabe is the 2013 winner of the Wuerffel Trophy,” said Wuerffel. “His success on the field and in the classroom along with his countless hours of sacrificial service make him an ideal recipient. He stands for everything the trophy is about, and he’ll be an excellent addition to the fraternity of former winners.”​

Ikard, a finalist for the award in 2012, was chosen as the 2013 winner for a litany of reasons, including his tireless community service. A 2013 Big Man on Campus at Oklahoma, Ikard serves on the OU leadership team for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was lauded by the school for his leadership in responding to the tragic Oklahoma City tornado disaster earlier this year and made a life-changing relief trip to earthquake-stricken Haiti in 2012.

​In the classroom, Ikard graduated with special distinction in May with a 4.0 grade point average in Biological Sciences, a major he chose as a prelude to pursuing a medical degree. On the field, Ikard has 27 career starts at center and was named a midseason all-American by Sports Illustrated, CBS Sports and USA Today. He leads the blocking for an Oklahoma team ranked second in rushing in the Big 12.

 Castiglione, Oklahoma’s athletic director since 1998, “Gabe is the personification of leadership. From the moment he stepped on campus, he has always been an example of what a student-athlete should be. He’s always the first to raise his hand when asked to do community service and he’s been a tremendous representative for the University of Oklahoma.”