Junior Husker wrestler Ian Ousley earned National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) Male PlayMaker of the Month for January on Thursday.

Ousley, a Saginaw, Mich., native, has collected numerous awards for his work off the mat, both in the classroom and in the community. He is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and three-time Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll member.

In 2014, he claimed one of Nebraska Athletics’ coveted HERO Leadership Awards, which recognizes student-athletes for exceptional leadership, consistent and dedicated community service, and positive influence on the team.

Ousley earned a spot on the 2014 Tom Osborne Citizenship Team and garnered the Nebraska Wrestling Spirit of Excellence Award at the 2013-14 end-of-season banquet.

Ousley has continued to be a leader for the team in the Life Skills department, and helped the wrestling program win Nebraska’s Life Skills Men’s Team Competition Award in each of the last two years.

Ousley is currently serving as the vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for 2014-15, and has volunteered for numerous other organizations. He currently holds a 3.252 grade-point average.

The PlayMaker of the Month Award recognizes the academic achievement and community service efforts of student-athletes at NCAS member institutions. Current student-athletes are nominated by their coaches, administrators, and teammates, they must carry a 3.0 grade point average, and they must be active participants in community/volunteer services and/or social change advocacy.