In four seasons as a defensive lineman with the football team, Ackman developed a knack for stopping opposing quarterbacks. The football co-captain garnered his team’s MVP award in 1992 after recording 16 sacks and helping the Blueboys post the nation’s best turnover margin. His totals that season included 65 tackles, including 10 for losses. He was the 1992-93 winner of the William J. Downer award as the top male athlete at IC, and he was also named to the 1992 Champion USA Division III All-America Team and the All-Midwest Conference football team.