DePaul University Athletics
Alex Bernstein Selected for BIG EAST Michael Tranghese Postgraduate Leadership Award
8/6/2026 1:17:00 PM | TRACK AND FIELD, ACADEMICS, DEVELOPING & EQUIPPING FUTURE LEADERS
Hammer throw All-American becomes the second Blue Demon to receive the prestigious conference honor
CHICAGO – DePaul track and field standout Alex Bernstein has been selected as a recipient of the 2025-26 BIG EAST Michael Tranghese Postgraduate Leadership Award, the conference announced Thursday.
Presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete from a BIG EAST-sponsored sport, the award recognizes student-athletes who have demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics and leadership while pursuing postgraduate education. Since its inception during the 2010-11 academic year, it has honored student-athletes who embody the conference's commitment to achievement in the classroom, in competition and in service. Bernstein, who is currently enrolled in DePaul's Master of Science in Finance program, will receive a $5,000 scholarship to support his graduate studies.
The award is named for Michael Tranghese, the BIG EAST's first full-time employee, who served as commissioner of the conference from 1990 to 2009 and embodied leadership and dedication from the league's inception.
Bernstein becomes just the second student-athlete in DePaul history to earn the distinction, joining hurdler Kyle Decker, who received the award in 2019. Joining Bernstein as this year's recipient was Creighton volleyball's Kiara Reinhardt.
A native of Penwortham, Preston, England, Bernstein graduated summa cum laude from DePaul in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics before returning for a fifth year of eligibility while pursuing his master's degree through the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. He completed his undergraduate degree with a 3.913 cumulative GPA and has maintained a 3.5 GPA in graduate studies.
On the track, Bernstein capped one of the most decorated careers in program history during the 2025-26 season. The hammer thrower became the first Blue Demon to eclipse the 70-meter barrier, accomplishing the feat five times while resetting the school record on three occasions. He closed his career with a program-record throw of 71.84 meters and claimed his fifth career BIG EAST hammer throw title.
Bernstein earned NCAA Second Team All-America honors after placing ninth in the hammer throw at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, the best finish by a DePaul hammer thrower since 2010. Throughout his career, he collected 10 BIG EAST Athlete of the Week honors while establishing himself as one of the conference's premier field athletes.
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