NORMAN, Okla. - The Golf Coaches Association of America has announced the Savannah College of Art and Design men's golf team has been named the Academic National Champions for the NAIA.
"I think this is probably the biggest award the men's golf program has ever received," said head coach
Fred Fruisen. "What I love about the award is that each team member had to contribute in order for us to get the award. Whether they played in every tournament or not, all of the players can take pride in sharing this prestigious award.
"It's not an accident that we won this award because we talk about academics every day," added Fruisen. "Knowing we were ranked in the top 10 last year and we won this award says everything about our work ethic."
The Bees led all NAIA institutions with a 3.55 team grade point average last year. SCAD was one of six institutions - East Tennessee State University (NCAA Division I), St. Mary's University of Texas (NCAA Division II), Gustavus Adolphus College (NCAA Division III), McLennan Community College (NJCAA Division I) and Tyler Junior College (NJCAA DII) - recognized as Academic National Champions for their respective divisions by the GCAA. A total of 82 teams submitted GPAs of 3.00 or higher and earned All-Academic Team recognition.
SCAD, which finished ranked No. 7 in the NAIA in 2009, earned an at-large berth to the NAIA National Championship this season for the fourth time in the past five years. The Bees finished in 14th place at the national tournament which was held at the TPC at Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. - the home course for the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic.
Men's golf was also one of 12 SCAD teams that were recognized as a NAIA Scholar Team in 2008-09. The squad also earned the 2009 Team Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement for having the highest GPA among SCAD's intercollegiate programs.