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Game, Set, Match: Gamma Phi’s Jacob Balfany Tapped for 2025 “Shug” Jordan Award

CARMEL, IN – Theta Chi Fraternity proudly announces Jacob M. Balfany (Gamma Phi/Nebraska Wesleyan 2025) as the recipient of the 2024/2025 James Ralph “Shug” Jordan Award. Brother Balfany was selected from the Fraternity’s active chapters for demonstrating impressive leadership, service, and scholastic accomplishments as well as athletic ability and a commitment to excellence in intercollegiate athletics. He is the sixth recipient from Gamma Phi Chapter and its second within the past three years following 2013/2014 Derek C. Kay (2014) for baseball, 2015/2016 Connor W. Bohlken (2017) for track and cross country, 2016/2017 Daniel S. Novinski (2019) for swimming, 2017/2018 Carter A. Lyons (2019) for swimming, and 2022/2023 Sam H. Kelly (2024) for swimming. 

Originally from Lincoln, NE, Brother Balfany graduated in May 2025 from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and a 3.81 GPA. He is a recipient of NWU’s Board of Governors Scholarship and the Van and Georgia Duling Scholarship for Emerging Leaders, and was been named to the Dean’s List four times, including fall 2021, spring 2022, spring 2024, and fall 2025. He also earned recognition on the American Rivers Conference Spring All-Academic Team in both 2023 and 2024, and was named to the CSC Academic All-District Team in 2023, 2024, and 2025. He was inducted into Order of Omega, Tri-Beta Biology Honor Society, Blue Key Honor Society, and Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society.

As a four-year captain of Nebraska Wesleyan’s varsity tennis team, Brother Balfany distinguished himself as both a leader and a competitor, earning All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition and serving as his team’s representative on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee for four years. On the court, he compiled an accomplished career: as a senior, he appeared in 26 matches, finishing 7–10 in singles play and 10–9 in doubles, including strong pairings with Gavin Nichols (3–3) and Sam Rademacher (6–6). His junior campaign included a 4–4 conference singles record and five doubles victories, while his sophomore season saw him post one of his most balanced performances with a 5–5 singles mark and a 7–4 doubles record, highlighted by a 6–2 partnership with Max Rademacher. Even as a freshman, Jacob earned a varsity letter with four singles and five doubles wins. Beyond the court, he invested heavily in coaching and mentoring, serving three seasons as the head reserve/freshman boys’ basketball coach and assistant varsity basketball coach at Lincoln North Star High School, while also working as an assistant tennis professional at Firethorn Country Club.

Within Gamma Phi Chapter, Brother Balfany served as Social Chairman, Recruitment Chairman, and Vice President, where he spearheaded the chapter’s largest recruitment since 2019, organized all-campus philanthropy dances that raised funds for the USO, and led brothers in community service projects such as Adopt-a-Highway cleanups and church outreach events. He also played a key role in mentoring younger members, keeping his door open as a place for connection and support, and was twice recognized as the chapter’s Most Philanthropic Member. In 2024, his impact was honored campus-wide when he was named Nebraska Wesleyan’s Greek Man of the Year.

Brother Balfany played tennis, focused on his academics, was a leader in his fraternity, but still found time to give back to the local community. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Horizons Methodist Church, the Nebraska Community Blood Bank, Prairie Wolf Pantry, Camp CoHoLo (for children with cancer and blood disorders), and also coordinated numerous Theta Chi philanthropy events, including highway cleanups and church outreach programs. His dedication made him one of the most service-oriented leaders on campus and a model of Theta Chi’s motto, “an Assisting Hand.”

Brother Balfany has left an indelible mark on the Gamma Phi Chapter, the Nebraska Wesleyan community, and the Prairie Wolves tennis program. Following graduation, he will take a gap year before pursuing medical school in the spring of 2026, a path solidified through more than 70 hours of clinical shadowing at Children’s First Pediatrics. His accomplishments on the court also carry a personal legacy—his mother, Amy Balfany, once competed for the Prairie Wolves tennis team at his age, and Jacob’s achievements continue that family tradition of excellence. In every arena—academic, athletic, and fraternal—Brother Balfany has exemplified the spirit of Theta Chi.

About the James Ralph “Shug” Jordan Award

The “Shug” Jordan Award was created by the Grand Chapter in 1996 to honor the scholar-athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of leadership, citizenship, academics, brotherhood, loyalty to alma mater, and a commitment to excellence in intercollegiate athletics.

The award is named in honor and memory of Brother James Ralph “Shug” Jordan (Chi/Auburn 1932), who served as Auburn University’s head football coach from 1951 to 1975. Brother Jordan’s team went undefeated in the 1957 season and won that year’s National Championship.