By Danielle Daniels

UW senior receiver in running for prestigious leadership award

Wisconsin senior WR Chimere Dike was announced as a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year on Wednesday morning. Dike is part of a semifinalist group that includes 20 of the nation’s top leaders in college football.

The award, presented by Albertsons and Tom Thumb, is the first college football honor to focus primarily on a player’s leadership, both on and off the field. Dike, who was voted a team captain by his teammates for the 2023 season, has provided steady leadership for the Badgers on the field while also using his platform to impact others off of it.

The Waukesha, Wis., native has played a large role in the Badger offense during his career. As a junior in 2022, Dike led the Badgers with 47 catches, 689 receiving yards and six touchdown catches. Dike is averaging more than 18.0 yards per catch as a starting wideout in this fall’s offense.

Throughout his time as a Badger, Dike has made efforts off the field to give back to his community. Dike has participated in plenty of team community service activities and initiatives, including visits to the American Family Children’s Hospital, trips to read books in local Madison schools and time spent at the alumni resource center on campus.

During the offseason, Dike has hosted a youth football camp each of the last two summers in Waukesha helps a cause close to his heart. His camp benefits the Kai Lermer Memorial Fund, which was started by Lermer’s family to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest.

Three finalists will be named for the award on Wednesday, December 13. The winner will be announced at the award ceremony in Frisco, Texas, on February 15, 2024. Wisconsin safety D’Cota Dixon won the award in 2018.

COURTESY WISCONSIN ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS