Omaha's Jason Smallidge is the 2022 recipient of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference's Postgraduate Scholarship, becoming the fourth Maverick to earn the honor in it seven-year existence.

The senior defenseman from Eagan, Minn., is set to graduate in May with a degree in business finance, banking and financial markets, and investment and portfolio management. He also is minoring in real estate and land use economics. Smallidge has compiled a 3.92 grade-point average while in Omaha.

"We are honored to present the NCHC Postgraduate Scholarship to Jason Smallidge of Omaha," NCHC commissioner Josh Fenton said. "Jason has certainly shown success in the classroom with a strong GPA and multiple majors and minors. We hope this scholarship can help further Jason's business education and career path."
 
Smallidge joins former Mavericks Kirk Thompson (2017), Joel Messner (2018) and Ryan Galt (2019) on the list of honorees for the scholarship, which began in 2016. He is a four-time member of the NCHC Academic All-Conference Team and a four-time NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, as well as a two-time AHCA All-American Scholar. He has made the dean's list and the chancellor's list each year.
 
One the ice, Smallidge appeared in 89 career games for the Mavericks, recording 24 points in his four seasons (seven goals and 17 assists). Off the ice, he has been involved in the community as a volunteer at a local children's hospital and Special Olympics. He also served as a youth hockey instructor.
 
Smallidge's scholarship award, funded by a grant from the El Pomar Foundation in Colorado Springs, Colo., will be $7,500. In his nomination for the honor, he wrote of his dedication to his education.
 
"During the summer after my junior year, I underwent surgery on my wrist," he wrote. "After a long summer of learning to be ambidextrous to complete summer school, there were still complications with my wrist. I was told a full recovery would take one to two years. I was distraught because I wasn't sure if I'd be able to play hockey again.

"This made me realize that hockey doesn't last forever but an education does. This is why I want to pursue a master's degree. I love hockey. But due to injuries and an unknown future, I needed to dive deeper into my schoolwork."

To be eligible for the NCHC's Postgraduate Scholarship, the student-athlete must be a senior on the official NCAA hockey roster with at least a 3.5 cumulative grade-point average, who plans to continue his academic studies beyond his undergraduate degree. The recipient must enroll in a postgraduate degree program within three years of receiving the scholarship to collect the financial aid. The winner is chosen by a vote of the NCHC's Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs) from among the nominees submitted by each school's FAR.
 
NCHC POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
2016 – Gabe Levin, Denver
2017 – Aaron Hadley, Western Michigan/Kirk Thompson, Omaha
2018 – Joel Messner, Omaha
2019 – Ryan Galt, Omaha
2020 – Erich Fear, Denver
2021 – Kale Bennett, Western Michigan
2022 – Jason Smallidge, Omaha