NFF National Scholar-Athletes
RB – University of Chicago (IL)
3.69 GPA – Neuroscience
Head Coach: Todd Gilcrist Jr. | Athletics Director: Angie Torain
Faculty Athletics Representatives: Dr. Gary Herrigel
A First Team All-American boasting 10 school records, Nicholas D'Ambrose has matched his on-field success as a First Team Academic All-American on track for medical school. The Addison, Illinois, native deservedly becomes UChicago's first NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
A 2021 First Team Academic All-American, D'Ambrose is a three-time Academic All-Midwest Conference selection. The Dean's List honoree received the 2022 UChicago Stagg Medal as the top senior male athlete with the best all-around record for athletics, scholarship and character. Boasting a 3.69 GPA as a neuroscience major with a minor in chemistry, D'Ambrose has already earned a certificate in fundamentals of clinical research.
This season, D'Ambrose ranks fourth in Division III and leads the Midwest Conference and UChicago with 131 rushing yards per game. He leads the conference with 786 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns and 154.7 all-purpose yards per game. D'Ambrose has also added 12 receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown. The game captain has led the Maroons to a 5-2 record.
In 2021, D'Ambrose was named a First Team All-American by the AFCA, AP and D3football.com after leading Division III with 171.4 rushing yards per game. The 2021 Midwest Conference Offensive Skill MVP and first team all-conference selection also ranked second nationally that season with 184.7 all-purpose yards per game. D'Ambrose already holds multiple school records, including career rushing touchdowns (44), single-season rushing yards (1,714), single-season yards per carry (7.4), single-season rushing touchdowns (20), single-season points scored (120) and rushing touchdowns in a game (5 vs. Cornell [IA]). He currently ranks third in UChicago annals in career rushing yards (3,457) and he is tied for second in total points scored (270).
Preparing for his future career in medicine, D'Ambrose has conducted 50 hours of research with the Cardiac Surgery Group at UChicago, 250 hours of research on Staphylococcus aureus in the Missiakas-Schneewind Lab and 250 hours of research on pancreatic cancer with Dr. Xavier Keutgen. A participant in the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative, he is also a member of the Global Health Alliance, which devises strategies to address and combat health inequities. D'Ambrose is a member of UChicago's Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and has helped coached youth football camps.
