The Valparaiso University men’s golf program has been named an All-Academic Team by the Golf Coaches Association of America for the fifth straight year, the GCAA announced this week. In addition, the Crusaders were honored with President’s Special Recognition status for the fourth consecutive season, as they were one of just 10 Division I programs to post a cumulative team GPA of 3.5 or higher.
“This award demonstrates the preparation and discipline that our entire team demonstrates with their academic studies on a daily basis,” said Crusader head coach David Gring. “Our team has twelve members, and for these ambitious young men to have an average team GPA this past year of 3.66 is exemplary. This year's GPA was the highest our team has ever achieved.”
Valparaiso was one of three Horizon League programs to be named an All-Academic Team this season, while Valpo was the only league team to earn the President’s Special Recognition status. Three Crusaders – Joe Harris, Jared Magoline and Eric Winters - earned Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-America Scholar honors from the GCAA last week, while the Crusaders boasted a trio of golfers on the Academic All-Horizon League team and 10 members on the league’s Academic Honor Roll. In addition, Valparaiso is one of just three programs in the nation to earn the President’s Special Recognition status each of the last four years.
“I have deep admiration for the determination and achievements of our entire team, both on the golf course and in the classroom,” said Gring. “They work closely with their professors and advisors, study together, practice together, and perform at a champion level, year in and year out. Over half of our team averaged a 3.85 or higher and two of the guys had 4.0's. We have a wide variety of majors on our team, ranging from business to communications to pre-med. From freshman to senior, each one of the guys on the team participated in this award and our coaching staff is elated for them and their recognition.”