Five years after being told he was too small to play Division I football, NIU running back Chad Spann has been named the MAC MVP.

As voted by the MAC head coaches, the Vern Smith Leadership Award is given annually to the player deemed to be most valuable to his team. In addition to the league’s overall MVP award, Spann also earned the distinction of MAC Offensive Player of the Year.

Initially coming on campus as a walk-on, Spann earned a scholarship from then-NIU head coach Joe Novak. Coming off an All-MAC first team season in 2009, Spann has averaged 5.5 yards a carry in 2010, while rushing for 1,273 yards. The senior has also scored 20 touchdowns, setting a new NIU rushing touchdowns record for a season. Spann tied the previous record of 19 in 2009 when he equaled the work of former Huskies Stacey Robinson and Garrett Wolfe.

Two days before the MAC’s biggest game of 2010, NIU head coach Jerry Kill took some time out to discuss his running back’s achievement.

“It’s a great story for that kid,” Kill said. “For a kid that wants to play football, even though he doesn’t get a scholarship doesn’t mean the dream can’t still come true.”

The fifth NIU player to win the MAC MVP, Spann realizes the weight that the award carries for players with a desire to play on the next level.

“It’s definitely a tremendous honor,” said Spann in a press release. “When you look at the history of the award, you have Garrett Wolfe, Larry English, Dan LeFevour and going all the way back to Byron Leftwich, all those guys had great careers and are now playing in the NFL. It’s just a great honor to be included in this group of MAC football players.”

While Spann headlined the list, 12 other Huskies were honored by the MAC on Wednesday. Also being named to the All-MAC first team, quarterback Chandler Harnish, offensive linemen Trevor Olson and Scott Wedige, cornerback Chris Smith and defensive end Sean Progar were all recognized for their work in 2010.

Harnish became the first ever NIU quarterback to be named to the All-MAC first team. Smith is second on the team with three interceptions and has 55 tackles. While Progar has 34 total tackles and is second on the team in sacks with 3.5.

“It’s a great situation, but I think the deal is anytime your team has success, individuals get honored,” Kill said. “You know it’s a great thing for all those kids.”