Aug. 17, 2010
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
IOWA CITY, IA – – The University of Iowa men’s golf team has earned All-Academic recognition from the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) for the 2010 academic year. As a unit, the team finished the year with a 3.32 GPA and is receiving the award for the second consecutive season. Iowa was one of four Big Ten schools to earn the recognition.
“Our entire team worked hard this past year to be strong academically as well as athletically,” said Iowa Coach Mark Hankins. “Our athletes are in-season both in the fall and in the spring, so it puts a premium on their time management skills. I am very proud of this award and our student-athletes’ commitment to be the best at everything they are asked to do.”
In addition to the team recognition, Brad Hopfinger and Vince India, both seniors this coming year, were both honored as All-America Scholars last spring. Hopfinger and India are the first pair of academic All-Americans for the program since David Sharp and Laine Brantner were honored in 1995.
“Brad and Vince take their academics and athletics seriously,” said Hankins. “This award was a goal for both of them this past season. They are very deserving and I am proud of them for exemplifying the excellence that we strive for in Hawkeye men’s golf.”
Both Hopfinger and India competed in every event for the Hawkeyes last season, finishing with two of the top-five scoring averages in program history. Hopfinger’s average of 72.5 marks the best in program history, while India’s 73.1 is fourth-best.
Hopfinger and India will lead a talented Hawkeye squad in 2010-11. Iowa returns every member of a team that finished second at the Big Ten Championships (best finish since 1992) and earned a second straight NCAA Regional berth. Iowa’s current national ranking (36th) is the highest in school history.